Toe In The Water, official charity partner to the UK’s biggest sailing regatta, Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week, has laid down the challenge to competitors, supporters and the public alike to help make their shore-side fundraising activities as successful as their on the water racing performance.
Toe In The Water Sailing Yacht. Image Isle of Wight Photo Agency.
Since competing in their first event four years ago, Toe in the Water has continued to grow from strength to strength. The charity was confirmed as the Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week official charity partner for 2011-13 which provides them with unrivalled opportunities to raise both its profile and much needed funds.
Stuart Quarrie, Chief Executive of Cowes Week Limited, said: “We are delighted to be working with Toe in the Water and to provide the charity with a platform to promote its outstanding work at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week.”
Stuart Quarrie, Chief Executive CW Ltd. Image: Isle of Wight Photo Agency
“Being appointed as the official charity partner for the regatta is fantastic for a small organisation like Toe in the Water and we’re really keen to make this year even more successful for us – on and off the water!” commented Tanya Brookfield, Director of the charity.
The Toe in the Water shore-side activities will provide the perfect complement to the team’s racing campaign and a vital platform for the critical fundraising campaign.
Following on from last year’s highly successful Crew Curry Night, Toe in the Water has organised a range of fundraising activities and events in conjunction with many of the Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week partners.
They include a ‘Vintage Great British Supper Party’ on Sunday 12th August at Northwood House, with a champagne reception, vintage styled supper and dancing to the Ian James Orchestra; a display by The Black Knights – the Royal Artillery Parachute Display Team – on Tuesday 14th August just off Trinity Landing and The Parade as part of a special reception hosted by the 17 Port & Maritime Regiment, Royal Logistic Corp; and the massive ‘Legends & Heroes Crew Party’ at Shepards Wharf Marina on Friday 17th August which will feature live music, games and entertainment, a gourmet BBQ and a special appearance from members of Skandia Team GBR.
Dee Caffari. Image: isle of Wight Photo Agency.
“But don’t forget we’re also coming to race!” said Capt Lloyd Hamilton MBE, Racing Director of Toe in the Water, “2012 just keeps getting bigger and better for us and we are thrilled to be back again this year, both as official charity, but also perhaps more importantly to race.
By the time Toe in the Water arrive in Cowes, the charity will have re-inspired, re-integrated and re-engaged almost two hundred injured service personnel, and this year the crew will again be joined by charity ambassadors Dee Caffari (pictured) and Brian Thompson.”
Toe in the Water will be entering two yachts, the Farr52 ‘TOE IN THE WATER’, kindly donated by Tony Hayward, Rob Gray and Sam Laidlaw, as well as an A40RC, racing as ‘TOE IN THE WATER TOO’ borrowed from the British Army.
Brian Thompson. Image: Isle of Wight Photo Agency.
They will be skippered throughout the week by round the world sailing legends Brian Thompson and Dee Caffari MBE as well as other top sailors from within the military and civilian sailing communities, aiming to give their IRC Class 1 rivals a run for their money.
Dee Caffari MBE, who was appointed Honorary Commander RNR in part due to her support of the charity commented, “Having raced with the guys for a couple of years now, I have already seen first-hand the positive impact being back in a competitive environment can have. The calibre of the able-bodied volunteers combined with the drive and determination of the injured crew makes for some really competitive racing. I am really proud to be a Toe in the Water Ambassador and I can’t wait to dip my Toe in the Water again soon!”
We are immensely proud to be the Official Charity, it signifies a milestone for us, a birthday and a homecoming.
Since entering its first crew at Cowes Week in 2008, Toe in the Water has gone on to re-inspire more than 160 profoundly and traumatically injured servicemen women through competitive sailing, including numerous top ten finishes across a string of regattas and national competitions.
Throughout the event there will be Toe in the Water merchandise available, the unique Toe in the Water wristbands as well as bottle openers and some new additions to our catalogue! Come and take a look at what we have all over Cowes from The Parade right through to Shepards Wharf!
For more information about any of the events or Toe in the Water in general, visit: www.toeinthewater.org website.
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