Businesses keep sailing experience afloat
Teesside businesses have provided the funding to keep afloat a life lasting experience for Hartlepool youngsters.
Stainless steel specialist Paralloy, Engineering business Francis Brown and AJC Financial Management have helped the Tees and Hartlepool Yacht Club (THYC) to reach its target after a generous grant from the National Lottery Community Fund fell just short.
The donations have enabled THYC to refurbish and fit a new engine on one of its vital safety boats which have to accompany each sailing of a dinghy when it carries children.
Barry Fisher from the Club, who used to work for Paralloy, said the life of Tees 5 – a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) – has been extended by around 20 years, which will provide schoolchildren with their first taste of sailing for the foreseeable future.
“We want to provide that special experience of sailing out to sea,” said Barry. “We are a members’ club and our facilities are open to the local community, including Hartlepool’s schools. One of our main goals is to teach youngsters to sail.”
Some of the first to benefit from the restored Tees 5 were 10 and 11-year-olds from Ward Jackson Primary School where in recent years around 100 pupils have had the thrill of leaving dry land.
“A big focus at the school is about having experiences beyond what they’d normally have,” said Headteacher David Akers.
“The link with the sailing club has been fantastic and that’s really important for us and hopefully we can carry it on for a long time to come.
“A lot of our children come from areas of deprivation so having this opportunity is one of those things that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
He added: “We couldn’t be who we are and what we are without the community links and the support of those around us. I think it’s great when people come together to say we want the best for our children.”
Ian Grimes, who became Paralloy’s HR Manager last year, said one of his priorities is to develop further the company’s connection with its local community and help cultivate a better future for the next generation. Paralloy has sites in Billingham, Middlesbrough and Sheffield, employing more than 500 people.
Next month it will receive the prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise and it has just acquired French global metal processing specialists Manoir Industries, which operates in France and England.
Ian described the work of the yacht club with local schools as “fantastic”, adding: “Projects like this are a great enabler, teaching children invaluable life skills, and echoing the values of our business: innovation, excellence and commitment.”