A TEAM of dedicated volunteers who help people with disabilities enjoy the benefits of sailing at the Cotswold Water Park were presented with a special accolade last week.
Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire Sarah Troughton presented an excited group of Sailability @ Whitefriars volunteers with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service at the Cotswold Water Park on Friday, February 9.
This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.
The Ashton Keynes sailing group - which is based at Whitefriars Sailing Club - has 16 boats and is run by a committed group of trained volunteers who deliver the Royal Yachting Association's Sailability training programme.
These sessions take place at Lake 26 most Wednesdays and Thursdays between April and October and enable more than 160 people living with all kinds of disabilities and long-term health issues to engage with and enjoy sailing.
A spokesperson for Sailability @ Whitefriars said: "All of the volunteers have contributed to the growth of the group over the last 12 years.
"The Sailability group has developed into a thriving, vibrant, fun team of people who enjoy working together to provide sailing opportunities for people who require additional support or equipment.
"More than 160 clients get to enjoy the experience of sailing.
"This might be therapeutic for some people and helps participants develop new skills.
"They can learn how to sail independently or with their family, or even compete in racing that can lead to club sailing or even international opportunities.
"The group rises to any challenge, catering for people with physical, sensory, cognitive, and neurodiverse difficulties, including one sailor who controls the boat using eye movement.
"There is great camaraderie within the group, and there are always opportunities for clients and volunteers to take to the water against each other, or with each other.
"Many sailors become volunteers and vice versa.
"Whilst being part of the Sailability @ Whitefriars team is rewarding in itself, the recognition through this fantastic award is well deserved.
"Congratulations to all involved."
To find out more visit whitefriarssc.org/sailability
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