Red Funnel has announced that Cowes-based charity UKSA will be its charity of the year for 2015.
The two organisations will work together on a raft of new initiatives including student mentoring, maritime training, management development and public engagement while raising awareness and funding for UKSA’s invaluable work with young people on the Isle of Wight.
Alongside UKSA, Red Funnel will continue to support a wide range of organisations such as the Ellen MacArthur Trust, the Earl Mountbatten Hospice and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation.
Kevin George, CEO of Red Funnel commented:
“Red Funnel’s business is all about the Isle of Wight. It is important to us that we support not only the future prosperity of the Island but also help communities and organisations that make a real difference to people’s lives. We have decided that in addition to the various activities we already support, we will also focus our attention onto a different Island based charity each year.
“We are delighted to have selected UKSA as the Red Funnel Focus Charity for 2015. We know UKSA best as a training school that we use for various courses but we have also been hugely impressed by their youth development schemes and the initiative to get every year 6 child on the Island on the water. During 2015 we will have a series of initiatives and events to use the combined ideas, skills and resources of Red Funnel and UKSA to make a difference to as many young people on the Island as we can”
Richard Thornton, UKSA CEO said:
“UKSA is delighted to have been chosen as Red Funnel’s Charity of the Year. It is fantastic that the work we do for young people on the Island has been recognised.
Article continues below this advertisement “The Isle of Wight is surrounded by water and this gives us a unique opportunity to access the sea in a number of ways. We want to show young Island people what the water has to offer, and find out first-hand how much fun it can be and how being out at sea can instill confidence and self-belief. We are also in the perfect position to showcase the opportunities that abound in the maritime industry and how to get involved.
“We are very grateful to Red Funnel for selecting us to be their charity so our work can continue and we can give more young people the chance to get out on the water.”
UKSA will use the funds raised to extend its current programme of giving Isle of Wight Year 6 pupils the chance to enjoy free sailing sessions. UKSA has given over 1,000 Island youngsters the opportunity to get out on the water thanks to a fundraising campaign during Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week 2014, and being named as Red Funnel’s charity for 2015 will help extend this programme to more children.
Photographed: Red Funnel CEO Kevin George with UKSA CEO Richard Thornton
