The supporters who go above and beyond to champion the Trust, and who have played a significant role in the Trust being where it is today.
My best Trust moment was the one when Ellen and I decided to create it. It is a life-changing charity.
Everything about the Trust is spirited. After a Round the Island Race I remember listening to the excited storytelling of the day’s adventure, hearing the laughter and smiles while eating fish and chips, it was perfect.
Everything about the Trust is an adventure. You can’t beat sailing towards the Needles on lovely sunny day with everyone in conversation about how they can all relate to each other. The smiles are awesome.
Whenever I spend any time with the young people I realise there is a much bigger picture out there in the world than our often selfish personal lives. It is such a crucial charity for changing young people’s lives.
I am always amazed how many hundreds of people have benefited from the Trust’s work, and the immeasurable, positive effect it will have on their lives for years to come, when I see all the photos in the Cowes office.
The Trust is so inspiring and it is an honour to be involved. It’s so humbling and I would love to think I could give something back to people that need it, through a sport that has given me so much.
During a Round the Island Race, the jib fell down and we had to rustle up the storm jib to continue. It was impressive seeing the young people solving the problem together and getting us back into the race.
The Trust is a family. I have too many ‘best moments’ to single out one, but arriving at the East Cowes base for the first time and seeing what we had achieved was a serious heart flutter moment!
Seeing the effect the Trust has on the lives of so many young people and their families, for me to have played a small part in this incredible charity is a true privilege. The Trust breeds optimism.
In one word the Trust is ‘Magnifique’! It has been incredible to meet such lovely people and I have been so impressed by their courage and fortitude.
The Trust is transformational. I saw one young person with severely impaired vision helming brilliantly for over an hour. Apparently she had been told she would likely never drive. But that was before she’d joined the Trust.
There is only one way to describe the Trust; it is awesome! I will never forget being at Bradwell and seeing first-hand how the Trust makes a difference.
I consider the Trust a family. This was really bought home to me when I was sitting with young people on their boats after they had completed the 2016 Round The Island Race; the sense of achievement was just fantastic.
Luke was an inspiration to everyone he met. Having first sailed with the Trust in 2010 he became an Ambassador in 2012. Luke sadly passed away in 2016. The Luke Gilbert Volunteer of the Year Award was created in his memory.
