a) To advance education for young persons up to the age of 25 years, primarily from the Isle of Wight, in sailing, boat handling, seamanship and navigation

b) To help young people, especially but not exclusively through leisure time activities, so as to develop their capabilities that they may grow to full maturity as individuals and members of society in particular by helping to send young people, who could otherwise not afford it, on character-building maritime activities

c) To assist in the provision of recreational or leisure time activities for individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age infirmity or disability, financial hardship or social circumstances with the object of improving their conditions of life, in particular by the provision of grants or bursaries for such activities.”

We have had another successful year in helping young people from the Island to gain experience through various maritime organisations. It is thanks to the generosity of our Members that we are able to help these youngsters who would otherwise be denied the opportunity because their parents cannot afford the fees.

Island Youth Water Activities Centre (IYWAC) because of Council cut backs the centre lost a lot of its funding but the Trust again helped an underprivileged young person to gain RYA sailing qualifications. We also sponsored the IYWAC entry “Paddywack”in the ASTO Regatta that the Royal London organises in conjunction with ASTO in October. Also sponsored a youngster on Paddiywack in the Round the Island Race. IYWAC also have the flying fifteen ‘fflyme’ that was donated to the Trust by Jan Matthews and hope to seriously campaign her next year.

ASTO - The Association of Sail Training Organisations is the UK's National Sail Training Organisation whose membership is made up of more than 30 not-for-profit organizations that operate more than 50 Sail Training vessels around the UK. We have supported ASTO for many years helping in the organisation of the annual Regatta, which attracts some 30 entries from around the country with nearly 300 young people from all walks of life, many of who have never been on a boat before. The change of attitude after a couple of day is amazing and really does show how important these activities are for the youth of today. RLYC members, Anthony Churchill, Bob Milner and myself are on the local steering committee for this event and 2011 was one of the best for many years both on and off the water. Their web site is well worth a visit www.asto.org.uk

The Ocean Youth Trust South itself also has a limited amount of bursary funding available to help people aged 12-25 who cannot afford their full voyage prices. Anyone can apply for help to pay for a voyage, but current funding priorities include.
* Young people from disadvantaged and deserving backgrounds
* Young people who genuinely cannot afford to sail
* Young people who can only afford short local voyages but with financial support would be able to take part in longer, more adventurous voyages
* Young people who have been recommended as future sea staff (bosuns and watchleaders) who need to sail again in order to gain experience
* Young people who have sailed with us before and demonstrated that they are enthusiastic, hard-working individuals who will have a positive impact on any voyage.
RLYC Member Peter Coke is Treasurer of the Island branch and this organisation is one of the chosen charities for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. This year the Club funded a young lady from Totland whose parents could only afford to pay half on the John Laing. www.oytsouth.org

The Tall Ships Youth Trust, formerly The Sail Training Association, is a registered charity founded in 1956 that is dedicated to the personal development of young people through the crewing of ocean going sail training vessels. It is the UK’s oldest and largest sail training charity for young people aged 12-25. This year we supported a schoolgirl from Shanklin on the square rigged Stavros S Niarchos. www.tallships.org

Cowes Sea Cadets The Sea Cadets is a nationwide voluntary youth uniformed organisation, open to young people aged 12 to 18 and with Junior Sections open to those of 10 to 12 years of age, run by enthusiastic adult volunteers. The Sea Cadets is a youth uniformed organisation based on the Royal Navy and its traditions.
For the last 3 years we have been able to help a young local Cadet have a week on one of their motor training vessels. This year we have supported one of their girl cadets to sail on the T.S.Royalist (see left)
The Sea Cadets base in Cowes known as T.T. Osborne is currently being demolished and is due to be rebuilt and ready for occupation in May 2012
http://units.ms-sc.org/cowes/About

Jubilee Sailing Trust (JST) There are two elements to the JST's mission: one is to overcome prejudices and misconceptions about disability amongst able-bodied people and the second is to enable people with a disability to show to themselves and to others what they are really capable of when the environment is designed to be inclusive.

The Windsor Cup Regatta is now an annual event in the Jubilee Sailing Trust calendar and the racing is organised by the Royal London Yacht Club. The regatta is open to anyone who is associated with the medical profession and this year it was sponsored by Henry Schein and Dentisan who provide a wide range of healthcare equipment.

Last year we helped 2 young Island people who had suffered strokes. We are waiting to hear from JST with details of a suitable person. www.jst.org.uk

Our Sponsorship of Olympic and World hopeful Chris Rashley looks to be bearing fruit won, he recently won the 2011 International Moth Grand Prix series at Paignton beating current World Champion into second place. But his crowning glory was taking the Europeans held in Travemunde in Germany in July. Chris is intending to campaign his Moth in 2012, including competing in the World Championships at Lake Garda, Italy in August. He is also planning to commence an Olympic campaign for 2016 in a 49er skiff or the new mixed catamaran class.

The International Moth is a very difficult foiling boat requiring immense physical, mental and boat preparation and the balance of a trapeze artist.

NB The RLYC logo is a prominent on his sails and equipment and he races under the Club burgee.

Future ways to raise money for the Youth Trust. Our Charity auctions have always been very successful but in the present economic climate I feel it is maybe pushing Members a step to far if we try again before Christmas. It is intended to have a fund raising event in 2012 but donations are always welcome and Gift aid forms are available.

Rodney J C Barton
Chairman RLYC Charitable Trust
November 2011