FUND RAISER FOR JHYC YOUTH SAILING PROGRAMME REPORT
Wednesday 1st September 2010
Many thanks to everyone who so generously supported our Dinner Dance at Al Porto restaurant in Jolly Harbour in aid of the Youth Sailing Programme at Jolly Harbour Yacht Club.
Our gratitude must especially go to the guests of honour – Governor General of Antigua & Barbuda, Her Excellency Dame Louise Lake-Tack who is Patron of the National Sailing Academy, and Minister of State for Sport Senator Winston Williams jr., they were accompanied by Anne Jonas the Coordinator of Planning and Project Management in the Office of the Minister of State, Sports. The evening opened with a welcome address from Commodore of the Jolly Harbour Yacht Club – Paul Jackson – and appreciation for our sponsors was expressed.
We have had generous support from Yamaha Outdoor World who supplied our chase boat, also A&F Sails who repair our sails free of charge, Anjo Insurance who cover the boats and the students, SignPro printed posters free of charge for our Summer Camp and the endless back up shown by Angie & Aidan from Al Porto and Sugar Ridge.
The Saturday Sailors were presented with Trophies and prizes by Senator Williams, and the Governor General graciously presented prizes of books to the 5 students who had shown dedication and outstanding achievement on their Dinghy Sailing programme throughout the summer months. There were approximately 70 guests who enjoyed the delicious four course dinner – great food, appreciated by all who attended in a great atmosphere at ‘Al Porto’. After the meal the band ‘Urban Hustle’ entertained the crowd from their novel stage on a Catamaran kindly supplied by Oyster Shell Cruises and moored on the dock outside the restaurant. It was generally agreed that the evening was a resounding success!
The funds raised from tickets sales were EC$ 2750 and donations on the evening amounted to EC$ 800 – over EC$ 3500 to go towards our programme teaching young Antiguans to sail, and giving them the opportunity to seek careers in the Marine Industry in the future. Jolly Harbour Yacht Club is to be an integral part of the new National Sailing Academy – we are actively seeking financial support from local businesses to sustain the programme, Instructors need to be paid, sailing dinghies and safety boats need to be maintained and insured, students will need books explaining the theory – on which they will be tested, and other ongoing running costs that occur will have to be covered. If you are interested in supporting the National Sailing Academy please contact Pippa Pettingell – tel: 722 8468 or email: pippapettingell@hotmail.com
