Atlantic Challenge Northern Ireland (ACNI), a cross community, cross gender organisation with charity status. We are truly open to all young people, helping them to build skills, both practical and on an interpersonal basis. As ACNI is a registered charity, we receive no formal monetary support and rely solely on fundraising and donations. We work very hard throughout each year to raise enough funds to sustain our young peoples activities and training. As the current world champions and hoping to defend our title in Russia, St Petersburg 2020, I would like to ask for your support in making this possible a great success - both for our young people and for your organisation.

Atlantic Challenge is a biannual contest which involves a spectacular display of seamanship from more than 15 international teams and we are delighted that ACNI, which is based in Antrim Boat Club, have the opportunity to participate again at the International Event in 2020.

The challenge tests crews abilities to sail and row versatile boats in different events and in varying conditions as part of an International Contest of Seamanship. Countries which have recently hosted the Atlantic Challenge Contest include Denmark (2016), France (2014) and more recently in 2018 ACNI secured the rights to host the international event for the first time.

This August the crew will travel to St Petersburg along with their 38ft gig and all its equipment hoping to defend their current world title with several new additions who are eager to learn what its like to be part of the ACNI family. This youthful crew is already training multiple times per week in fitness and learning traditional knots and splices. The crew are also repairing their most important crew member the gig, before they undergo intense training weekends in spring to prepare for what Russia will have in store. In between all of the above and their day to days lives each of the crew are hard at work fundraising to keep this opportunity alive. We would welcome any support that you could offer, either financially or in kind. We would be delighted to display your branding on team kit at the event, which would be seen by a wide local, as well as an international audience .

www.atlanticcahllengenorthernireland.co.uk