County organisation lend support to Dorset charity (From Dorset Echo)
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County organisation lend support to Dorset charity
1:00pm Monday 4th March 2013 in News By Martin Lea
GIFT: Vice chairman Andrew Prowse, left, presents the £500 cheque to Pam Govier and Brian Willett
A DORSET charity helping youngsters to get out on the water has been buoyed by support from a county organisation.
The Society of Dorset Men is the latest organisation to support the Will Mackaness Trust, which provides opportunities for young people of all backgrounds to participate in water sports.
It is named after the Weymouth student and keen sportsman who died tragically from a brain tumour in 2008 when he was just 16. The charity, set up by Will’s mum Pam Govier, was the cause backed in the Dorset Echo’s Going for Gold campaign last year.
The Society of Dorset Men, a historical organisation promoting fellowship and love of the county, made a £500 donation to the trust.
Society vice chairman Andrew Prowse said: “The Society of Dorset Men has given £3,800 to Dorset good causes over the last two years and we aim to support local young people in making this £500 donation to the Will Mackaness Trust. In a coastal community like ours, it makes good sense to make use of the water.”
He made the presentation at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, where sailing and windsurfing courses run by the trust are based.
Rather than investing funds in purchasing costly equipment, the trust negotiates rates with existing qualified providers, who will already have all of the necessary equipment, know the safety needs and can give tuition.
Pam Govier said: “We want as many young people to be involved as possible, so with this money we can organise yet more courses, involving all secondary schools in Weymouth and Portland.
“We are grateful to The Society of Dorset Men. Every penny counts and we need to make the Will Mackaness Trust better known.
“We must build on the Olympics and involve many more local young people.”
l The Society of Dorset Men gave £3,800 to Dorset good causes during 2011 and 2012. The recipients were Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra £500; Bournemouth Youth Cancer Trust £200; Dorset County Hospital Mammogram Appeal £500; Dorset Echo Toy Appeal £200 & £100; Dorset Youth Association £350; Julia’s House £500; Will Mackaness Trust £500, Poole Sailability £250; St James’ Church, Poole £100; Tornadoes of South Dorset £350, Weymouth Sea Cadets £250.
