Andrew Simpson Foundation: The Sailing Charity
Today the Lendy Cowes Week spotlight shone brightly on the Andrew Simpson Foundation (ASF) with the day being officially designated Charity Day.
The day had Founding Trustee and America’s Cup sailor Iain Percy OBE in Cowes to fly the FUNdraising flag.
Iain Percy was honoured to be invited by Lendy Cowes Week and the Royal Yacht Squadron to fire the start gun for Cowes Bash and the first race of the day. As a reminder of why the Foundation was formed and in a nod to the global fundraiser ‘Bart’s Bash’, results from all fleets were pooled to find an overall winner for the day. Congratulations go to the winner of Cowes Bash, just confirmed as Sam Cox on Nifty, a King 40, who picks up a free entry into next year’s Lendy Cowes Week plus a range of Chatham Shoes for the crew and some Musto kit.
In between a host of media interviews and photo calls Iain enjoyed meeting young sailors signed up to one of the ASF’s primary initiatives running this week, Discover Sailing supported by Lendy, a series of daily one hour taster sessions to introduce 8-14 year olds to the delights and challenges of sailing. The ASF Discover Sailing Programme ensures there are no financial barriers to entry into the sport. To date the Andrew Simpson Foundation has introduced 5,600 young people to sailing.
Iain took on his brother Richard who is the CEO of the Foundation and ASF supporter Sir Keith Mills, in the Sunsail Gutterboat Racing Challenge. Iain also raced Olympic Silver medallist and the ‘Face of the Foundation’ at the regatta, Mark Covell, who went on to host the Foundation’s ‘Big Bash’ party on the main stage in Cowes Yacht Haven; a great big wonderful party with fabulous prizes, on-stage entertainment, putting the FUN into FUNdraising! Remember to text your donations to BART17 £5 to 70070.
www.facebook.com/andrewsimpsonfoundation twitter.com/AndrewSimpsonFo www.instagram.com/andrewsimpsonfoundation www.andrewsimpsoncentres.org
