Youth sailing organisation is the official charity for this year’s regatta in Cowes

Sailing charity UKSA are hoping to raise £35,000 at Cowes Week in order to get more young people into sailing. 

The youth charity based in Cowes is the official charity of this year’s regatta and they’ve organised a number of events throughout the week to raise funds. 

Speaking about being selected as the regatta’s official charity, UKSA’s Lori Little said: “It’s a really big deal, it’s quite immense for us as a charity. To raise the profile for us is amazing.” 

Some of the charity’s fundraising events include Try Sailing sessions where visitors to Cowes Week can pay a minimum donation of £5 and experience an hours worth of sailing off the coast of the island. 

More than 450 people have taken up the opportunity, being transported to keel boats offshore by high-speed RIB and enjoying everything sailing has to offer. 

Many of those taking part were sailing for the very first time and came back to shore with “big smiles on their faces”. 

Other fundraising events included Boss Up the Mast, which saw 15 executives climb a 100ft mast for the charity and then take a selfie of themselves at the top. 

A number of celebrities and members of the Royal family have also been out in support of UKSA with Princess Anne racing her husband Sir Timothy Laurence sailing on board one of the charity’s Farr 65s. 

Pippa Middleton and Olympic hockey player Alex Danson also went out sailing with the charity, while the Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip met young sailors on the shoreside. 

“For us as a charity it’s really raised our profile. It’s amazing to have a royal patron, it really adds creditability to the charity and to have her out sailing with us on Tuesday was really immense,” said Ms Little. 

The funds raised throughout Cowes Week will be put towards providing 1,600 Isle of Wight pupils with a water sports session.

Related content