THE popular ‘Sail for a Fiver’ scheme that has helped thousands of youngsters to learn the sport will continue thanks to a £100,000 donation.

The Chesil Trust, which oversees the scheme, has received the donation from Mrs Elma Shipley in memory of her husband Rod who died in 2012. This donation will enable the popular “Sail for a Fiver” scheme to continue for at least another three years.

Mr Shipley owned Chesil Beach Motors and was a popular local businessman.

Born in Pickering, North Yorkshire he was educated at The Royal Hospital School in Holbrook where he experienced sailing for the first time.

In recognition of this inspiration, his wife Elma, who lives on Portland, donated £100,000 to the trust to give local school children a chance to experience sailing. Di Ludlow, Chairman of The Chesil Trust said: “The ‘Sail for a Fiver’ scheme has enabled more than 12,000 Dorset children between the ages of 10 and 11 to experience sailing on our Olympic waters. “The scheme will be renamed the “Rod Shipley Sail for a Fiver” scheme in recognition and thanks to Mrs Shipley for the generous donation in memory of Rod”. Mrs Ludlow added: “To formally thank Mrs Shipley and to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the scheme we are hosting a cake and coffee reception at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy at 11am on Thursday February 27 where Olympian and Patron of the Chesil Trust, Simon Hiscocks will receive the cheque from Mrs Shipley”.

The Trust works with providers – the Weymouth Outdoor Education Centre and the specialist sailing school based at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing academy who in turn work closely with schools throughout Dorset. The programme allows Year 6 schoolchildren to sail for a charge of just £5. The Trust then tops this up to make sure the providers can cover their costs