OUR JOURNEY SO FAR
Our History
Learn about the history of Sailing for the Disabled, and the journey the charity has been on over the last 40 years.
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1984
In 1984 the landlord of the Creg ny Baa Hotel, Ray Kelso raised (with the help of the Social Club) several thousands of pounds to successfully start a Spina Bifida organisation on the Island.
Following discussions with various people including Ivor Mellor, the then Head of Physiotherapy Service for the Isle of Man, he learned there were disabled people who would like to sail. Together with the “Friends of the Creg” he raised and gave £2,500 to purchase, from John Qualtrough of Castletown, a second-hand Leisure 17. The yacht was placed on a trailer, taken up to the “Creg” and there with great ceremony christened the “Creg Ny Baa”!
A committee was formed and, on the 1st May 1984, the first official meeting of “Sailing for the Disabled” took place.
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1984-1990
The membership of the charity increases and fundraising begins in earnest to purchase a larger yacht. Much of the funds are raised by founding member and former Chairman, Terry Hopkins, by running the London Marathon - no mean feat considering he is partially sighted.
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1990
A 26' cruising Yacht, "Dunlin", is purchased with the raised funds. "Dunlin" is a capable vessel, allowing for off-shore sailing to Ireland and Scotland, and serves the charity well for the next 10 years.
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2000
A new Bavaria 37 is purchased and named the "Pride of Mann". The purchase was made possible by donations from Mann 2000, the Isle of Man Sports Council, the Manx Lottery Trust, and many other local businesses, as well as the fundraising efforts of charity members.
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2000 - 2005
The Charity continues to go from strength to strength, enrolling more members both able and disabled. The charity begins offering services to special educational units on the Island - thereby making sailing available to all.
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2005
In April 2005, a Bavaria 46 Crusier, named the "Pride of Mann II" is purchased and allows for further expansion of the charity's sailing capabilities. "Pride of Man II" goes on to serve the charity well, and covers more than 33,000 nautical miles over the next nine years.
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2006
In 2006 the Charity is honoured to receive “The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service”. The award honours the unsung heroes in society, who regularly devote their own time to providing an outstanding level of help to other people, and whose work has enhanced and supported local communities.
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2014
On 28th September 2014, the 30th Anniversary year of the charity, the "Pride of Mann III" arrives in Douglas.
A Beneteau Oceanis 48 Cruiser, specially adapted at the Hamble to meets the Charity's specific requirements, she is the largest and most capable yacht to date.
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2024
40 years on, we are going from strength to strength and have an exciting series of events and celebrations planned!
An exciting new website has been launched to help the charity serve our members better, increase our reach, and improve communication around our activities.
We have celebrated with a special summer sailing event that saw all three Pride of Man's brought together, with support from our friends at the RNLI, and a formal dinner is planned for later in the year.