Young Portland sailor to address Tories (From Dorset Echo)

Young Portland sailor to address Tories

3:10pm Thursday 2nd July 2009 in

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YOUNG sailor Adam Greaves from Portland is to tell a Tory MP and business leaders of his Olympic dream.

He will address an audience of more than 100 people when Conservative MP John Redwood visits Dorset tomorrow.

Adam, aged 12, who lives at Southwell, was invited to speak at the meeting by South Dorset Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate Richard Drax.

Adam said: “I am really looking forward to it.

“It is a great opportunity. I have been practising and memorising my speech to my brothers so I don’t have to read it from notes.

“I will talk about how I started sailing, the background to what I have been doing, the interest from the media and my hopes for the Olympics.”

Adam added: “My friends at school are just coming round to the idea, as giving a talk to MPs and business people is not something young people are normally associated with.

“It is a great life experience and not something you would experience in the classroom.”

Adam lives with mum Mandy, dad Alan, and brothers Tom, seven, and Jack, two.

His passion for sailing began when he took part in the Sail for A Fiver Scheme at Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy.

He was one of a handful of pupils from the 500 taking part to receive a trophy. He was also one of two to be offered sponsorship of £265 to enable them to take part in a five-day course at the Sailing Academy to gain RYA Level I and 2 sailing qualifications.

Adam later raised sponsorship money to give others the opportunity to sail and received a letter from 2012 Olympics chief Lord Coe praising him for his Olympic spirit.

The schoolboy, who has dreams of competing in the 2016 Olympics, also met the Queen on her recent visit.

Mr Redwood, who is Leader of the Conservative Policy Group on Economic Competitiveness, will address the Dorset business leaders at Mr Drax’s family home Charborough Park. His talk will be preceded by Adam’s five-minute presentation.

Mr Drax said: “Adam’s story is truly inspirational and I know all the businessmen and women at the event will relate to Adam’s success, courage and single-mindedness, particularly at such a young age. Adam will be the perfect warm up act for the main event, John Redwood.

“I am especially delighted he’s come down to talk to the business community here. He’s a very busy man and we appreciate his support.”

Mr Drax added: “His ideas on what a Conservative government can do if elected are founded on common sense.”