Blake Fund for Young Sailors
The Blake Fund for Young Sailors provides financial and other support for our young sailors. Any member under the age of 24 can apply for a grant - see examples below or in the attached download "Blake Fund Grants Available 2022.pps".
The Blake Fund for Young Sailors was established by the Club in 2001 following the tragic death of Peter, the celebrated New Zealand yachtsman whose home had been in Emsworth for more than 30 years.
'One of the world's finest yachtsmen' was one of the many tributes to Peter when news of his death by pirates in the Amazon reached Britain. He had competed successfully in six Whitbread Round the World races, sailed 600,000 miles over the world's oceans, and led Team New Zealand to two successive America's Cup victories. He was knighted in 1995.
He came to Emsworth in 1977 to help prepare Condor of Bermuda, which was built in Emsworth, for the the 2nd Whitbread Round the World race, joined our Club, and met the then Commodore's daughter, Pippa Glanville.
They married, and their two children, Sarah-Jane and James - well known to many Club members - inherited their parents' love for the sea and are also keen sailors. James became a Trustee of the Fund in 2019.
The Blake Fund for Young Sailors is administered by Lady Pippa as Chair of the Trustees and the Club's Flag Officers.
Our Mission Statement:
The Blake Fund inspires uptake, development and lifelong bonding with sailing; introducing all children to the water and nurturing the few to greater things.
Our purpose is:
1. To inspire a lifelong passion for sailing
2. To encourage young children to sail
3. To enable competitiveness in sailing
The Fund supports any young ESC members up to the age of 24 and will award grants based on the merit of the application, towards the cost of a wide range of activities including:
In addition we will be organizing support for the less experienced junior racers planning to take part in a regatta away from the club such as Chichester Harbour Race Week - join the Emsworth Junior Race Team and benefit from practical advice, daily briefing on wind, tide and safety, basic coaching, help organizing travel etc.
We are also supporting youth sailing in the local community by organizing two training sessions for Southbourne Sea Scouts.
If you want more details or to apply for funds, send an email with as much detail as you can to, blakefund@emsworthsc.org.uk. Applications will be considered through the season.
The Blake Fund for Young Sailors. 50:50 Lottery
A vital role of the Blake Fund is to raise funds so that awards can be granted to ESC junior sailors. Since 2002, the Blake Fund has given over £19,000 to 90 ESC Junior sailors. For the list of award winners, see below.
In addition to various fundraising activities throughout the year, there is a 50:50 lottery with a monthly draw to raise money for the fund. All ESC members are encouraged to join the lottery and support our junior sailors. See Blake Lottery Information below for more information.
If you have any questions or suggestions please contact Douglas Peniston, Barbara Langford or Marcus Lawson, who joined Lady Pippa Blake, James Blake and the flag officers of the club as Trustees in April 2021. blakefund@emsworthsc.org.uk