30th Anniversary Fundraiser

In 1993 the first annual East Coast cruise for blind sailors has operated from the Suffolk Yacht Harbour (SYH) on the River Orwell near Ipswich; this was the beginning of what would eventually become the East Anglian Sailing Trust, an organisation run entirely by unpaid volunteers offering sailing opportunities for blind and disabled sailors as well as youth projects between May and September.

Roan Webb of Blind Veterans UK was one of six blind veterans that took to the water in 2018 with the help of EAST.

As we celebrate our 30th anniversary we can look back upon that first East Coast Cruise as the beginning of the charity that has grown to own and operate its own fleet of keelboats as well as securing the Lottery funded Waterside Community Centre building equipped with a galley, classroom, workshop, and fully accessible facilities for our visiting sailors. Many people have enjoyed the opportunity to sail with us over the past 30 years, while others have become volunteers who selflessly give their time to this wonderful organisation and ask for nothing in return.

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the first East Anglian Sailing Trust East Coast Blind Cruise, an anonymous donor has generously pledged to match-fund up to £1000 for EAST to continue its activities into the future.

If you can help us raise funds we would be very grateful. We are of course aware that these are difficult times so whether it’s a little or a little more, 100% of the money raised helps EAST to continue our work. To donate with confidence, please visit the fundraising page on our website at: https://www.east-anglian-sailing-trust.org.uk/donate and find links towards the bottom of the page.

If you prefer, you can donate via your bank to:

East Anglian Sailing Trust

CAF Bank

Sort Code: 40-52-40

Account No: 00020947

All funding is handled through the Charities Aid Foundation, and please remember to add the reference 30ANN so we know what the donation is for. If you can donate with Gift Aid, it allows us to claim 25% from the HMRC!

Donations can also be made by cash, card, or cheque at the EAST Waterside Community Centre, Suffolk Yacht Harbour, Levington, IP10 0LN

The closing date for this match-funding is 30th September 2023.

Thank you!

Geoff Dreher (EAST Treasurer)