Thanks for taking the time to visit Duet’s Fastnet Race JustGiving page.

 

Duet, the iconic 15m. gaff-rigged yawl built in 1912, is taking part in this year’s Rolex Fastnet Race.  This 608 mile race from Cowes round the Fastnet Rock off the west coast of Ireland and back to Plymouth is one of the most prestigious and toughest ocean races, well known for unpredictable and stormy conditions. Duet took part in the Fastnet Race in 1975, and won three trophies (including one for line honours) in the ‘Old Gaffers’ class.

 

Duet is believed to be Britain’s longest serving sail training vessel. She has sailed more than 250,000 miles and provided over 8,000 young people with a life changing experience.  Last year she was awarded the Olympic Inspire Mark for her centenary Voyage to Success, drawing on the inspiration of London 2012 to raise the aspirations of the young participants from different communities across the UK on a voyage of 2,000 miles round Britain. She was also recently named ‘Sail Training Vessel of the Year’ by the MCA (Maritime & Coastguard Agency) & ASTO (Association of Sail Training Organisations).  Owned by Christopher Courtauld and his father before him, Duet has since 1960 been lent for sail training for young people and is now one of the fleet of The Cirdan Sailing Trust.

 

The Cirdan Sailing Trust is an established charity that helps to motivate, stimulate and discipline disadvantaged young people through the challenge and adventure of life at sea on large sailing vessels.  The youngsters, most of whom come from troubled or deprived backgrounds, join the vessel for a residential experience and take a full and active part in life on board, both above and below deck.  Alongside the professional crew, they have to work hard on deck aboard vessels that are purposely designed to be labour intensive, get involved in planning and navigation, learn how to cook for themselves and each other and keep a tidy ship.  They also have to adapt to living in harmony with their shipmates in a confined space and learn how to conduct themselves when ashore.

 

Over the years, Cirdan has sailed with around 30,000 young people from all over the UK and has an amazing record for helping young people who have lost direction, usually through no fault of their own, to become accepted and useful members of society.

 

Cirdan’s fleet includes: Queen Galadriel, a 32.9m gaff rigged ketch with 16 berths, built in 1937 in Svenborg, Denmark, and Faramir, a 22.4m Bermudan rigged ketch with 15 berths, built in 1982.

 

With its focus on the provision of voyages for disadvantaged groups, Cirdan relies on the generous support of benefactors throughout Britain to raise the necessary funds to operate successfully.  The funds raised through Duet’s participation in the Fastnet Race will be used to further Cirdan’s work and help change the course of young people’s lives.

 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure.  Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them or send unwanted emails.  Once you make your donation, JustGiving will pass your money directly to the charity making sure Gift Aid is claimed as appropriate.

 

Please be generous in your support of Duet’s challenge and help disadvantaged young people to improve their lives.