10th December 2008
Have you sailed with Liz? Have you visited the AHOY Centre? Did you go there recently to train in RIBs? If you can answer "yes" to any of those questions, you will know all about AHOY and be pleased to know of Liz's award from the Royal Yachting Association.
AHOY relies on its volunteers and Liz is central to their organisation. AHOY is a charity which exists to get disabled and underprivileged children onto the water, sailing, powerboating and rowing.
During the past three years Liz has formed a team to develop 'Sailability'. This has involved acquiring suitable boats and training volunteers so that disabled visitors, some of them wheel-chair users, or visually impaired or even limbless, can get a taste of being in a boat.
This all takes place on the tidal reaches of the Thames, a far cry from the River Crouch. Before she could do any of this, Liz had to get herself trained and is now a qualified RYA Dinghy Instructor, Powerboat Instructor and Safety Boat Officer - she also drives the mini-bus!
Every year the RYA recognises the efforts and dedication of a range of volunteers in our sport and this year Liz is one of them. On 28th November Liz received an Outstanding Contribution Community Award from HRH The Princess Royal, who is President of the RYA.
So the next time you see Liz, give her a smile and say, "Congratulations!"
Discover more about AHOY by clicking on the links under the thumbnails on the right.
Wendy Eagling
