Chelmarsh Sailing Club, a local Volvo RYA Champion Club, hosted a five hour sponsored sail yesterday (1 June) to raise money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). More than 40 sailors turned out to race in the light winds on the reservoir, and along with the supporters on land, raised an amazing £705.

Racing started at 11am in little wind that unfortunately did not blow above 5 knots for the remainder of the race. After the five hour time limit, 13 laps of the course were completed by the winning team of Martin Bunn and Gareth Wilkinson sailing in their Solo dinghy.

Commodore of Chelmarsh Sailing Club, Grahame Calladine said “We set out to have a days sailing with a fun element that would raise money for a cause close to the hearts of most sailors, the RNLI. The day was enhanced with competitions running on land, thanks to William A Lewis Volvo, so all in all the day was a great success”.

The cheque for £705 was presented by the Commodore of Chelmarsh SC to RNLI volunteer John Archer. John said “Every event is great for the RNLI. But I’d like to say how grateful we are to the club for raising so much money and for increasing the awareness of the fantastic job the RNLI does daily.”

Due to the success of this event, Chelmarsh Sailing Club will be repeating the sponsored sail next year and will aim to increase participation levels and money raised again for their preferred charity, the RNLI.