A group of VOS veterans went out sailing on Spirit of Scott Brader on 5th September, provided by the Gwennili Trust, and had a brilliant time.
Here’s what the veterans who came along had to say about the voyage:
“Superb!”
“Great Experience, first time on a catamaran”
“Thoroughly enjoyed the day, excellent respite from an otherwise traumatic weekend”
Wendy, the VOS Office Manager, also thoroughly enjoyed herself and, despite normally being a dinghy sailor, had a great time helming the catamaran towards Cowes. However, some hairy moments with a container ship speeding past, causing a lot of backwash, were a slight test for her nerves and stomach!
The Gwennili Trust is an organisation that provides relief for the physically and mentally disabled, in particular ex-Service people, offering respite and educational opportunities on board yachts, and has done since 1995. It is run by volunteers, and with their partner organisations the Trust provides offshore yacht sailing opportunities for people with disabilities.
Spirit of Scott Brader is a fully wheelchair accessible 35ft sailing catamaran, designed and built by the Disabled Sailors Association to allow people of all ages with disabilities to actually be able to sail a yacht, first launched in 2000.
A trip out sailing is a great opportunity to get away from it all, with everything that seems difficult on land almost disappearing when you get out to sea, and it’s also a fun way to get to know the other people on board with you.
If you’d like to come on a sailing voyage, go on an accessible motorboat instead of a yacht, go out on a historic vessel, or join any of our other activities on and off the water, join our community!
If you’re a veteran from the UK Armed Forces or the Merchant Navy (from any time of service) or a partner to one, VOS would love for you to join our community. We are here to offer our support: call us on 02392 731 767, visit an upcoming drop-in, or email admin@vosuk.org.
VOS is immensely grateful to the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust and the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity, as without their support and funding we would not be able to provide activities such as this one.
