CHANCELLOR George Osborne has agreed to become patron of a race in memory of Olympian Andrew Simpson.

The Portland-based Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation said it was delighted the Chancellor was supporting the Bart’s Bash race at the Budworth Sailing Club, Northwich.

On September 21 at 11am the Club, which is in the MP’s constituency of Tatton, will join hundreds of other clubs throughout the world in attempting to set a new Guinness World record attempt for the’ Largest Sailing Race in the World’.

Dozens of people in Weymouth and Portland will be taking part in the event.

The aim of the event is to remember Andrew ‘Bart’ Simpson, fundraising for the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation, to inspire a new generation of sailors and to encourage clubs to open their doors.

Rt Hon George Osborne MP said: “I am delighted to become a patron. I hope that the event is a huge success and you manage to make the Guinness Book of Records.”

Although Mr Osborne will not race on the day, he supported the event and the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation’s charitable cause with a generous donation.

The club expects to have 100 dinghies sailing in the Budworth Mere’s 100 acres of water on 21st September.

Since its launch, the Bart’s Bash event has gathered incredible support beyond the sailing world, including support from UK Minister for Sport Helen Grant.

Foundation Trustee and double Olympic gold medallist Iain Percy OBE commented: “I’ve been blown away by all the support the event has already managed to achieve.

“We invite everybody, sailors and non-sailors, to join us on September 21 in this unique event which we hope will inspire the next generation through sailing.”

The explosion of enthusiasm for the event has seen more than 7,000 sailors from more than 700 sailing clubs around the world signing up online and fundraising to support the Foundation’s charitable activities, which aims to help young people to develop the personal skills that will improve their ability to succeed in life.

All the funds raised through Bart’s Bash will support the development and delivery of the Foundation’s charitable programmes nationally and internationally.

These programmes have Bart’s and the Olympic values at their heart, and are currently being developed and tested at the Andrew Simpson Sailing Centre.

Pilot programmes, designed to enhance sailing activities and participation, as well as to reach more young people, are also being tested in Bermuda and South Africa.

Registration for clubs closes tomorrow and individual online entries will close on September 19.

Participants will be able to sign up on the day at registered Bart’s Bash clubs that have capacity; however clubs encourage all interested sailors to sign up at bartsbash.co.uk as soon as possible to enable them to plan accordingly.

When signing up online, sailors are able to set up their own JustGiving page and are encouraged to start fundraising. To make the suggested donation of £5 to enter people can also text BART76 £5 to 700