Young sailors’ 24 Hour Sail and Big Brunch for Children in Need

21st year raising funds for Children in Need at Lymington’s Salterns Sailing Club for children, run by children 

The children of Salterns Sailing Club will again be raising funds for the BBC Children in Need appeal on 15th and 16th November with a 24 hour ‘Sail-a-thon.’ 

This is the 21st year that Lymington’s sailing club for children will be supporting Children in Need and all are invited on Saturday morning to The Big Salterns Brunch at the clubhouse in Maiden Lane, where the Junior Committee and their helpers will be serving hot drinks and food for donations to Children in Need - the perfect pit-stop during a walk around the Lymington-Keyhaven Nature Reserve!

The Sail-a-thon will be starting at 4.30pm this Friday, 15th November. Commodore Freya Baddeley and Pudsey Bear will be joined at the start by members of the UK National and Regional Sailing Squads, all of whom learnt to sail at Salterns, including 2019 National Optimist Champion Santi Sesto-Cosby and 2019 National Junior Optimist Champion Emma Breese.

“The 24 hour Sail-a-thon is a big challenge for the young sailors of Salterns each year”, said Freya Baddeley, aged 16 and a Sixth Form student at Bournemouth School for Girls. “We sail in shifts around the clock, throughout the night - no matter how cold, wet and windy the conditions.

“Over the last 20 years, Salterns sailors have raised over £150,000 for the BBC Children in Need appeal - not bad for a small sailing club run by children! 

“This year we hope to raise as much as possible and we welcome visitors to walk to the club and enjoy our Big Salterns Brunch from 7am to 2pm, and have a go at our Tombola and Silent Auction - all in aid of children in need. It’s also a great opportunity for non-members to find out more about the club!”

Throughout the 24 hours, members of Salterns Sailing Club, all aged under 17, will take it in turn to sail on the Eight Acre Pond. The Junior Committee have organised a number of fun sessions for the younger sailors, including seamanship races, 'silly sailing' and Scow rides for the youngest members. Older children will be participating in the Grand Finale of the Moth and Tera race series which has taken place over the season and having the great adventure of sailing at night.

Members of the Lymington Lifeboat crew will be joining the 24 hour Sail-a-thon at around 11.30am on Saturday for their annual ‘Optimist Race’ - a hilarious trial of skill, determination and speed as grown men attempt to sail in boats made for children! Definitely worth watching!

If you would like to support the Junior Committee and children of Salterns Sailing Club in raising funds for Children in Need, donate at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/salterns-sailing-club2019

Find out more about Salterns Sailing Club, including membership at: www.salternssailingclub.co.uk