Cowes Week Limited (CWL) is delighted to announce that, following an extensive evaluation process, they have selected the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation (ASSF) as the official event charity for Cowes Week for 2017.
Encouraging youth participation in sailing will play a vital part in the continued success and popularity of the sport and more specifically of events like Cowes Week. CWL therefore felt it was right to appoint a national charity such as the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation whose aim is to give young people the chance to enjoy the life changing challenges of sailing and to promote health and wellbeing.
Commenting on the decision, Kate Johnson, Commercial and Marketing Director at Cowes Week Limited, said: We were really pleased to receive so many great applications from charities wishing to join us as Official Charity. All of them had their merits and it was a really hard decision. Were delighted that ASSF will be joining us and look forward to announcing more detail on their fundraising aims and plans .
As part of ASSFs involvement with the regatta, they will be providing on-water activities in Cowes during the week to encourage disadvantaged young people to get afloat and experience the excitement of sailing at this iconic event. Further plans will be announced in the New Year.
Richard Percy, CEO at ASSF said, “It is fantastic news that the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation has been appointed as the official charity of Cowes Week 2017. It is a privilege to be supported by such an iconic British sailing event as Cowes Week. The funds raised will be directed towards inspiring sailing initiatives that improve the lives of young people.”
In 2017 Cowes Week takes place from 29 July – 5 August 2017 and entries for the regatta are now open online.
The Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation was founded in memory of, and inspired by, Olympic Gold medallist, sailor Andrew (Bart) Simpson. Founding trustees are Andrew’s friends, Sir Ben Ainslie CBE and Iain Percy OBE and Andrew’s wife Leah.