Local youth charity Cinque Ports Pirates was chosen as the beneficiary of the money raised during the 2014 Regatta from the Port of Dover-sponsored Dover Port Dash tournament. An RS Tera type boat has now been purchased and was officially named yesterday as ‘Community Spirit’, one of three it has bought thanks to various benefactors.

Having been asked by the charity to name the boat, the Port ran a staff competition and the winning entry came from Senior Systems Engineer, Karl Bowman and Port of Dover Police officer, Martin Dadd.

Attending the official naming ceremony, Barbara Buczek, General Manager – Business Development, says:

“The name chosen by Port staff was Community Spirit, reflecting how the Port is playing its part at the heart of the community. Whilst we keep Dover, the Port and the UK economy moving, we are also working together with local good causes to enable young people to actively enjoy the recreational and educational benefits of the Port.”

Karen Amber, Cinque Ports Pirates, says:

“The money raised has brought the local community and the Port closer together in providing more opportunities for local young people to experience the enjoyment of sailing. Cinque Port Pirates is so closely connected with the harbour, it is fitting that Port of Dover staff who work here every day, had their input into naming ‘Community Spirit’.

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

  • Photo 1 includes Karl Bowman and Cinque Ports Pirates with Community Spirit;  Photo 2 includes Ken Dupuy and Cinque Ports Pirates with Tally Ho!; and Photo 3 includes Community Spirit sailing in Dover harbour
  • The Cinque Ports Pirates is a youth charity where children pay a membership of just £15 a year and £6 a session. The Pirates are based in both Dover and Folkestone, and sail every Saturday and Sunday morning in Dover Harbour and once per month on a Saturday at Folkestone. Visit www.cinqueportspiratessailingclub.co.uk for more information.
  • The other two boats bought by the charity – Tally Ho! and Leo – were purchased with money donated by Ken Dupuy and the Dover Lions Club.  The boats will be used in Dover, competitions around the country and at an international competition in July in Holland – the RS Tera World Championships.
  • This year’s Port of Dover Community Regatta will take place on Saturday, 25 July 2015. Back by popular demand will be the ‘Dover Port Dash’ tournament, which will see teams race across the harbour in ‘Thames Cutters’ in a bid to raise money for two local charities, the RNLI and a community-elected charity, soon to be revealed.For more information, visithttp://www.doverport.co.uk/about/news/more-sparkle-promised-at-this-years-port-of-dove/12955/

 

Issued by Port of Dover on 01304 240400 (ext 4410 from 8.30 – 17.00)