Bart’s Bash raises huge total for international sailing charity
by Sail-World on 18 Dec 2014
Iain Percy, Freddie Simpson and Anthony Nossiter racing on the Star keelboat in which Iain and Andrew 'Bart' Simpson won the Silver Olympic medal at London 2012 © Christopher Ison - Bart's Bash Christopher Ison
Bart’s Bash, the global sailing race that took place in 60 countries around the world, on September 21st, 2014 raised an incredible three hundred and thirty six thousand, three hundred and ninety one pounds and ninety five pence (£366,391.95) for the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation.
The race was held in memory of Andrew 'Bart' Simpson, the Olympic gold medal sailor who died in May 2013 in an incident after the break up of America's Cup Challenger, Artemis Racing's AC72 in San Francisco.
The announcement of the grand total of fundraising was made by Freddie, Andrew Simpson’s four year old son and his classmates at Sherborne Primary School.
Freddie also drew the winners of two competitions which incentivised the fund raising. Terry Ross Gulf Harbour Yacht Club, David Wilkins Rutland Sailing Club, Duncan Greenhalgh York RI Sailing Club and Angus Graham WPNSA and Castle Cove SC all won a trip to Ben Ainslie Racing’s new Portsmouth base for a tour and to experience sailing on an AC45. Chris Mayhew from Royal Harwich Yacht Club won the exciting trip to the Artemis America’s Cup base in San Francisco to meet Iain Percy and sail in the bay.
The announcement of the total comes exactly one year since the event was launched and it’s a testament to the hard work of the Bart’s Bash team that so many people made it on to the water on one special day and so much money raised in memory of Bart.
Funds raised from this amazing event will be used to support the Foundation’s national and international projects which allow any young person, regardless of circumstance, to experience the challenges and education of sailing.
The Foundation will be working together with a number of not for profit sailing initiatives in the future. In 2015 a grant giving applications process opens, offering a wide range of support, financial or practical.
Richard Percy CEO of the Foundation said 'A huge thank you from everyone at the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation for supporting us and helping to create a fantastic sailing event to honour a great sailor. We really hope to see you all out on the water on September 20th for the next Bart’s Bash.'
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