Thanks

To Giles Webber, John Hannaford, Jonathan Williams & Jason Gardner,  who recently pledged £120 to OYTS for this trip. Thanks also to James Lees, Ashleigh Ritchie, Shina Nimmo, Sarah Mc Gillivray,John Dunlop, Kerry Fordyce, Cat Weir, Andrew Johnstone, Robin Morton, .Gordon Hunter -between them, another £205!

The Arctic Challenge,

I've just signed up (late) for the Ocean Youth Trust's Arctic Challenge 13th - 24th July 2009. I'm doing this for a couple of reasons :

1. OYT will use the funds raised to provide sailing experiences for Youths and I believe in their ethos "to inspire positive change in young people through the challenge of adventure under sail"

2. I will be tested to draw on all of my own skills on this voyage and I think I'll learn a lot and form strong friendships with the rest of the crew.

Sailing has always been a passion of mine and I've watched my own 4 children develop through adventure sports, particularly skiing and sailing. Part of my business revolves around Youth Activity, and I strongly believe that experiences created by organisations like the OYT are hugely valuable to society.

By donating towards this challenge to sail beyond the Arctic Circle you also start me on another journey to contribute to the OYT in a positive manner by joining their volunteer staff fundraising and working towards skippering one of their yachts with young people on board on a regular basis in the future.

I have worked with youths in Alpine environments as a BASI Alpine Ski Instructor and have seen how individuals benefit from this experience. I became an RYA Yachtmaster in 2005 and as my skills and experience develop I hope to be able to begin imparting some of my knowledge to others in the same way.

Please give generously as I have given myself an  ardous fundraising task by leaving my decision to participate to the last minute. Thank you for your support for this terrific charity,

Jim