Applications sought for Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation grants

Sailing clubs and centres across the world are being encouraged to apply for grants to support disabled sailing following a successful Bart's Bash last month.

National Sailing Scheme Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation grants
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Applications for grants to support ongoing global sailing projects for those with disabilities are now being taken by the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation (ASSF).

It comes following the announcement that sailing will be dropped from the Paralympics in 2020.

The money for the grants has been raised through the Bart’s Bash sailing event which, so far this year, has reached more than £87,500.

Mount Batten received grants of £6,000 from the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation

Since being awarded a grant last year, Mount Batten Watersports and Activities Centre has helped 158 disabled children access sailing

“We want to focus our efforts on disabled sailing,” explained ASSF trustee and Olympic sailor, Iain Percy.

“Bart was extremely passionate about the power that sailing has and that it should be accessible for all. It is a travesty that the Paralympics is dropping sailing after Rio 2016 so we placed Bart’s Bash on the last two days of the Paralympics Games,” he continued.

“It really is a call for the worldwide sailing community to get together and help raise funds for disabled and Paralympic sailing in the future,” added Percy, who is now the team manager America’s Cup challenger Artemis Racing.

In line with this vision, grants can be used to provide clubs and centres with direct and indirect support, including:

  • Club Safety Packs, including buoyancy aids and waterproofs,
  • Disability awareness training,
  • Ambassador visits,
  • Assistance with covering transport costs to and from the sailing venue.
  • Providing seed funding for larger equipment related projects.

Whilst the money wont go directly towards purchasing boats, ASSF will provide seed funding and support for a certain number of projects where a small investment and support for the project greatly increases the overall chances of success.

Applications for a grant have to be made by 31 October, 2016.

All completed applications should be sent directly to grants@andrewsimpsonsailing.org along with the necessary supporting documentation. Questions can also be emailed to the same e-mail address.

The foundation will announce the successful grants in the New Year.

Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation grants

The grants aim to open up sailing for all. Credit: Jak Bennett

Since its inception, the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation has given grants to 35 projects across nine countries.

In 2015, the foundation supported the All-aboard Sailing Project with a £6,000 grant.

Run by Mount Batten Watersports and Activities Centre in Plymouth, in partnership with Wheels on Water (WOW) sailing club and Woodlands Special School, the grant has meant 158 young people with disabilities have tried sailing.

The foundation also aims to maintain its support of grass roots Parasailing throughout the year, and anyone wishing to support the foundation and its continuing support of Parasailing is urged to get in touch.