Campbell awarded for Exceptional Contribution - News - LIVING SPORT

Campbell awarded for Exceptional Contribution

David Campbell, a founder member of Grafham Water Sailability, has been awarded one of RYA Sailability’s highest accolades of an Exceptional Contribution Award at last weekend’s (20th – 21st February) annual RYA Sailability Conference.

Campbell, who is 82, joined the fledgling centre for sailing for people with a wide range of disabilities 15 years ago.

Grafham Water Sailability is based at the Grafham Water Centre in Perry near Huntingdon. David was its first volunteer sailing instructor, but it was soon apparent that sailors needed a buddy to accompany them to UK and Ireland regattas which David was more than welcome to do.

Campbell, although lacking the physical strength he enjoyed 15 years ago, is still able to take groups out sailing, offering countless people to be taught to sail and have a life changing experience.

The RYA Sailability Exceptional Contribution Award is made to someone who has shown exceptional commitment and dedication over a period of 10 years or more.

David received his award from Sailability Trust Trustee Robyn Griffiths-Jones, who said, ‘The RYA Sailability Awards recognise the priceless voluntary contribution given by people like David who make a real impact on our sport. These awards, seen as the ‘MBEs’ of our sport, are given to volunteers involved in delivering sailing for disabled people at grass roots level’.

The Awards were presented at the dinner following the third Sailability national annual conference held at Wyboston Lakes, St Neots, Cambs. Rod Carr OBE, retiring CEO of the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) told the 130 delegates from all over the UK that Sailability and Sailability groups could be proud of their achievements.

‘The penny is dropping in the right circles that sailing is good for people with a wide range of disabilities. Disabled people realise they can do it and benefit from it. A lot of the success of sailing for disabled is down to the enthusiasm and commitment of volunteers who run groups. Without them it doesn’t work.’

RYA Sailability Manager Debbie Blatchford told the conference that nearly 25,000 disabled adults across the country sailed regularly. Between 2006 and 2008 the number of disabled people sailing jumped by 47 per cent from 16,000 to 24,000. Cruising and windsurfing were now being added to the mix of sailing offered by groups.

Debbie revealed that a new volunteer reward scheme was being trialled with 20 centres across the country, and explained, ‘Volunteers will get a logbook and can progress through three levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold within their chosen activity within the group. We need to help them build up their expertise’.

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