Duchess of Edinburgh visits to Children’s Sailing Trust

Wednesday, May 17, was a very special day for Children’s Sailing Trust, as they welcomed Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh GCVO to their headquarters at Trevassack Lake, just outside of Helston on the Lizard Peninsula.

Local schoolchildren were engaged in watersports activities on the lake, having the opportunity to meet Her Royal Highness and show her their newly acquired skills, along with Holly Martin, a local girl who is using sailing at Trevassack to help recover from a traumatic brain injury.

The Duchess of Edinburgh meets sailing students (Image: Adam Gibbard Photogrpahy)

Her Royal Highness had the unique experience of touring the lake on ‘Floaty’, the trust’s one-of-a-kind, solar-powered accessible platform that allows groups of all ages and abilities, including their mobility equipment, to get out on the water.

Jakie Jewell, CEO for Children’s Sailing Trust and its subsidiaries, said: "The work the CST team do on a daily basis makes such a difference to so many people, it was an honour to be able to share what we do and its impact with Her Royal Highness.

"The visit showcased the effects of our charitable work on young people in Cornwall and our community facilities for people of all ages and abilities both near and far."

HRH on Floaty with sailors on Trevassack Lake (Image: Adam Gibbard Photography)

2022 marked the 25th year of providing local children with sailing opportunities that they wouldn’t otherwise get the chance to take part in. Through spending time out on the water with their peers, young people learn skills that help them in all aspects of life; confidence, competence, resilience and critical thinking.

Whether or not they choose to continue on towards further qualifications, each child comes away with a sense of pride and achievement.

The charity relies heavily on grants and donations in order to cover running costs of operating subsidised Helford River sailing courses as well as continue providing these amazing experiences for young people for another 25 years.

Holly on a Hansa (Image: Adam Gibbard Photography)

Therefore, the development of Trevassack Lake, which opened after pandemic delays in late October 2021, is a forward-thinking strategy to ensure financial stability for the Trust while benefitting the local community.

All ages and abilities are welcome at Trevassack, with the whole site being developed to be as inclusive and accessible as possible, with hoists and adapted craft allowing our experienced staff to help people with disabilities to get out on the water.