Yachting and Boating World forums: Kids Out - A day for taking out disabled kids

I have posted on Scuttlebutt about my recent day out with the Kids Out! event held every year from Chichester area.
I would like to organise a similar event on the East Coast, starting in a much smaller way of course.

This event is highly organised and requires a level of firm commitment from boat owners and crews, as it would be crushing to let down any kids that we promise a day out due to the boat not turning up.
I will have to seek permission from Essex County Council, and canvas the Essex area special needs educational establishments for kids and carers.
We will also need a venue, but I have had local chats with Royal Corinthian at Burnham, but could be anywhere.

The formula is simple.
The boats and crews amass on the day, register and get their briefing, then the kids arrive, given lunches and lifejackets, then loaded to boats.
A gentle sail or motor to a pre agreed lunch spot, hang off the hook for an hour or more, then return the kids back to their transport.
The only requirement is for the boat to have insurance (which nearly all of us already have).
The boats used range from Fishing day boats to Mobos, to Sailing Craft, and size is not an issue, as each boat is discussed and agreed the amount of kids and carers they can take or feel comfortable with.

The South Coast event is supported by the Yachting Rotarians and the Kids Out! charity, and sponsorship is minimal, I think only about 3 quid a head.

Of course there is a great deal of admin and background work to do, but we have been offered support, guidance and templates from the South Coast organisers.

I would love to get 10 boats on the water for the first event, which I propose to be in May 2009.
That should be about 25 kids and carers as a target.

As I will be needing a potential list of boats/owners willing to take part, I would be grateful if you could register your interest here, and perhaps send me your email and contact detail by PM.

I would like to stress that this is not a fund raiser - this is real kids having the opportunity to experience boating, and for us to give something back.

I can tell you now, it is a most humbling event

Thanks for getting this far down the page. Now send me a PM....

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Come on over to the East Coast Forum . You meet a nicer forumite there.

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