WHY TALL SHIPS YOUTH TRUST?
Being fortunate enough to have seen first-hand how the effect of time on the water, working closely with other people, develops and brings out the best in people, the fit for me with Tall Ships Youth Trust was obvious. When I was asked to help expand the reach of the Trust, the thought of what I might be able to do for kids far less fortunate than me, it rang a clear bell. It is a natural fit in so many ways and I was more than happy to accept the challenge. Teach the kids basic life skills on how to work with each other and the opportunities will follow.
BACKGROUND
I was lucky enough to have grown up with a sailing boat somewhere nearby and to have had easy access to the water. Dinghy sailing when I was young followed by keelboats from my teenage years onwards. Life aboard a yacht working closely with other people is second nature to me. I spent a very short time in the Merchant Navy before immersing myself into the building trade in manufacturing and selling. I have for the last 35 years run a plumbers merchants in the southeast of England. My love of sailing has taken me to many different venues and allowed me to meet many different people from all walks of life and my former role as the Commodore of the Royal Ocean Racing Club has extensively widened my network of passionate sailors, both professional and Corinthian.
