Hansa World Championships, October 2023 - Portimao, Portugal.

Hansa Class UK need sponsors to fund a GB team to attend and compete.

The GB team have had consistent success at previous events, and are eager to build on those achievements. As well as performance, it is important that the team is diversely representative, inspiring more people to take up sailing in the UK.

Sailing is accessible to almost everybody using specialist equipment. Taking part in sport is hugely beneficial for health and wellbeing. Racing adds another dimension - it provides pathways for involvement and greater engagement at all levels; maintaining interest, enthusiasm, self-esteem, and an important sense of belonging.

Racing takes place across the country, through Sailability groups, at sailing clubs, and via Class Association events. The pinnacle of the sport for people with disabilities are the World Sailing events and Special Olympics, and there is a campaign for the sport's reinstatement to the Paralympics in 2028. These events are an important showcase for the sport, raising its profile and encouraging more people to participate.

Like any sport, the expenses involved in international events can affect potential competitors' ability to participate. We have had some support from governing bodies but a majority of the burden lies with the individual sailors.

To make participation in international events more accessible, develop our sailors, and improve safety, we need to provide more support for our team.

Funding is needed to cover the cost of boat transportation, a coach, support boat hire, volunteers expenses, and team kit. We're also embarking on a programme of training in order to be competitive.

Estimated at: £30,000

We are looking for help to fund these costs to support our endeavours. Sailors still have substantial costs to cover eg their own travel, accommodation, and often provide support to meet their care needs.