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Royal seal of approval for famous yacht's global adventure - 30 June '05
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal officially re-commissioned Gipsy Moth IV for active service on Thursday 30th June 2005 at the International Festival of the Sea in Portsmouth. HRH the Princess Royal is the first member of the Royal Family to set foot on the famous vessel since Her Majesty the Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh visited the vessel in 1967 while awarding Chichester his knighthood.
Her Royal Highness boarded Sir Francis Chichester's famous vessel to inspect the restoration work undertaken by the yacht’s new owner, the United Kingdom Sailing Academy. As Patron of the UKSA and numerous children’s charities, HRH is particularly interested in the vessel’s new role, offering young people the opportunity to experience the thrills and challenges of the ocean.
The vessel which was re-launched earlier this month after an extensive restoration, will be put to work taking young people from a variety of disadvantaged backgrounds on a global voyage, leaving Plymouth on the 25th September 2005. The voyage will offer young people a ‘window on the world’, with modern technology enabling interaction between the vessel and classrooms around the globe.
The project partners; UKSA, Yachting Monthly and The Maritime Trust are still seeking funding to enable young people from disadvantaged background to take part in every leg of the voyage. With three spaces available on each leg of the adventure, the Project hopes to send over 100 young people on this voyage of a lifetime.
The UK Sailing Academy has been working closely with schools from areas including Plymouth, Peckham, Portsmouth, Scarborough, the Isle of Wight and charities such as the Ellen MacArthur Trust and The Prince’s Trust, to select deserving young people who will benefit from the opportunities presented by the trip.
Spearheading the project’s fundraising activities, the Gipsy Moth IV Mobile Exhibition Unit is providing visitors to the show with information about Sir Francis Chichester, Gipsy Moth IV and her forthcoming circumnavigation. David Green, Gipsy Moth IV’s Global Project Manager said,
“Her Royal Highness’s interest in Gipsy Moth IV’s work with young people is a big boost to the project. I would encourage all visitors to the International Festival of the sea to visit our exhibition centre and find out more about Gipsy Moth IV’s contribution to British Maritime Heritage. Gipsy Moth IV’s second circumnavigation is set to inspire a whole new generation, and like Chichester we really do need the public’s help and support to achieve the ambitions of this worthy project. “
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NOTE TO MEDIA
For further press information, please contact:
Anna Symcox
PR Manager & PA to the CEO
United Kingdom Sailing Academy
Tel: +44 (0) 1983 203016
Fax: +44 (0) 1983 295938
Mob: +44 (0) 7709 485674
Email: anna.symcox@uksa.org
Web: www.uksa.org |
Susan Preston Davis
Global Media Co-ordinator
Tel: +44 (0) 1489 789111
Mobile: + 44(0) 7771 732007
Email: susan@mpr.eclipse.co.uk |
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United Kingdom Sailing Academy
UKSA is recognised as the world's leading Sailing Academy. It is a registered charity and non - profit making organisation supported by the Lister Trust. Based in West Cowes on the Isle of Wight it has superb, modern facilities with residential accommodation and operates a fleet of over 300 craft. UKSA provide a wide range of courses aimed at adults, young people and the disabled. Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal is Patron to the Academy and Ellen MacArthur is their Ambassador.
Yachting Monthly
Gipsy Moth IV's second world voyage celebrates the 100th birthday of leading marine publication Yachting Monthly magazine and the 40th anniversary of Sir Francis' celebrated single-handed voyage.
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight Economic Partnership is the economic development agency for the Isle of Wight. Their unique position allows them to bridge the gap between the public and private sectors and ensure a coordinated approach in improving the Island's economy.
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