Crowdfunder sees hundreds of children to sail
Hundreds of Plymouth schoolchildren will enjoy a spectacular day of sailing aboard heritage boats this May, giving them a chance to connect with the Mayflower story in a new way.
The Spirit of Adventure programme was crowdfunded last year and the first part of the project is set to take place from 4-7 May 2021.
During the week, 240 children will enjoy a day of hands-on sailing adventure with one of four sailing organisations: The Island Trust, The Bounty Project, Sailing Tectona and The Lynher Barge CIC. The organisations have seven traditional wooden sailing vessels between them, which will undertake daily voyages in Plymouth Sound.
Led by Plymouth Waterfront Partnership (PWP), the crowdfunder raised £50,000 with support from individuals and organisations including Cattewater Harbour Commissioners, Mayflower 400 and Plymouth City Council.
“As Britain’s Ocean City, and the departure point for many a famous journey, it’s shocking that so many children in Plymouth have never had the chance to try out sailing,” says Diane Mansell, chief executive of PWP. “The Spirit of Adventure project offers an amazing opportunity to engage children and young people with the waterfront, with the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park and with the Mayflower story in a very tangible way.
“We’d like to give a huge thank you to all the businesses and people that contributed to the crowdfunder to make this a reality.”
Initially due to take place in 2020 as part of the Mayflower 400 commemorations, the Spirit of Adventure was postponed due to Covid-19.
