This season, WASH Sailability have had 16 Sailing Members, 22 Volunteer Members and have run almost twice as many sailing lessons as last year. With more volunteers and the introduction of two two-man boats, the  charity has also been able to organise sailing days for groups and schools for the first time this year.

Groups that WASH Sailability have worked with include Activities Unlimited, Optua, Riverwalk School, Priory School and the Dyspraxia Group.

The charity has also taken over and furnished a section of the new shed the Sea Cadets kindly had built, with the kind and generous help of WASH’s work party, who laid the pathway and did the fitting. It is sure to serve WASH and the Sea Cadets for many years to come.

WASH Sailability AGM

Don’t forget – the WASH Sailability AGM takes place on Saturday November 19th 2011 at Lackford Lakes.  The charity would love to see as many Sailing and Volunteer Members as possible, so please call 01440 7146941, 01284 766092 or 01440 704976 to book. Plus, it will also be the meeting that decides on committee members, so make sure you go along to have your say on the way your club moves forward.

Highlights of 2011

WASH Sailability has received £7250 in grants this year, thanks to the generous donations from the local community:

• £500 from the Stowmarket Freemasons
• £500 donation from the Clark Bradbury Charitable Trust
• £500 donation from Bury Freemasons
• £5759 grant from Havebury Housing Partnership

Making a Difference

WASH Sailability is committed to making a real difference to people with disabilities. A couple of examples of the fantastic work the Haverhill charity does are below:

The carer of a child with severe learning difficulties told one of WASH’s Sailing Volunteers not to expect any reaction from the child whilst out sailing because this child had never been known to smile. The child dangled her hand in the water and smiled from ear to ear during her session.

One of WASH Sailability’s regular sailors was housebound for a number of years before he got his mobility car, and was able to drive to Lackford Lake. He now enjoys sailing so much that he now sails at WASH and Alton Water and has now purchased his own sailing equipment so he can pursue sailing further.

A Big Thanks

None of the above would be possible without the generosity and support of Sailing Members and Voluntary Members, who give their time free of charge so that no-one need be excluded from the joy of sailing and being part of the sailing community.