Red Funnel is celebrating the end of a successful year of fundraising for Cowes-based charity UKSA, which has helped give over 1,000 Isle of Wight schoolchildren the opportunity to get out on the water and try their hands at sailing.
Staff at the ferry firm rallied to raise £35,000 for UKSA through a number of activities, including offering sunscreen to festivalgoer’s at its terminals during the summer and washing cars in its marshalling yards. A large portion of the funds were raised through match-funding donations that generous ferry passengers gave when booking on Red Funnel’s website, which amounted to £12,000 of the overall total.
So far, 740 Year 6 pupils from schools around the Island have ventured out on the water and with a further 260 booked in for spring 2016.
Kevin George, CEO of Red Funnel said:
“The mission to raise enough money to fund the Year 6 programme at UKSA has really brought our staff and customers together to achieve a common goal. It’s also rewarding to see the effect these on-the-water experiences have on the pupils and it reminds us how important it is that every child is given the chance to explore and enjoy the opportunities afforded by the Isle of Wight.”
Feedback from the programme has been very positive, with one teacher from St Saviour’s Catholic Primary School in Totland commenting:
“The children were challenged but felt really proud of what they achieved by trying something new. It was particularly great to see pupils who sometimes struggle in class shine in the activity and be commended for courage and calmness.”
Richard Thornton, CEO at UKSA, said:
“It’s been fantastic for young people on the Island to have the chance to get out on the water and try sailing as a direct result of the money raised by Red Funnel. We are very impressed with the amount raised and are incredibly grateful to Red Funnel, its staff and its customers for their continued support.”
