EIGHT enthusiastic youngsters who took to the sea at Ringstead and sailed 100 miles for charity have proudly presented £1,000 to the Will Mackaness Trust –the Dorset Echo’s chosen good cause.

The pupils who all attend Wey Valley School and Sports College in Weymouth used a variety of watercrafts including a Sailing boat, kayaks, a rowing boat and surfboards to complete their challenge for the charity.

The Will Mackaness Trust is the Dorset Echo’s chosen charity of the year in the run up to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic sailing events on borough waters.

The charity was set up in memory of avid sportsman and former head boy of Wey Valley School Will Mackaness who tragically lost his life to an aggressive form of brain tumour in 2008. He was just 16.

It is co-coordinated by his mother Pam Govier and aims to get as many young people as possible enjoying the thrill of water sport activities, thanks to generous donations and fundraising events.

The trust is strongly supported by the Wey Valley School’s staff and pupils, as demonstrated by this latest challenge.

Emma and Alexandra Stevenson, Louis and Macey Goldsworthy, Tom and Joe Wells and Aimee and James Limb are all youngsters who have previously benefitted from the trust and were eager to give something back.

After successfully raising the £1,000 in sponsorship monies, they excitedly handed over the cheque to Pam at the Official Test Centre at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.

Emma Stevenson, 14, of Osmington, said: “Through the trust we have all been lucky enough to participate in sailing, windsurfing and kayaking at the Sailing Academy and Weymouth Outdoor Education Centre, which is really exciting.

“We wanted to raise some money so that other young people could benefit in the way we all have.

“I would like to thank all the individuals who supported us in this challenge.”

Pam, who is a trustee of the charity and head of languages at Wey Valley School, said: “It’s absolutely incredible, they organised this completely off their own bat.

“When they first learnt to windsurf they sailed from the sailing academy to Bowleaze Coveway to raise funds and now they’ve completed an even bigger challenge.”

She added: “The trust has already helped more than 100 young people to enjoy the water and is looking at new ways to increase that number.”

The trust is looking to expand its range of activities so youngsters who are not confident swimmers can benefit from lessons.

Businesses or individuals who would like to donate to the cause are asked to make cheques payable to Wey Valley School and to send them to the Will Mackaness Trust, Dorset Echo, Hampshire Road, Weymouth, DT4 9XD or call the Echo on 01305 830984.