Sailing charity receives Queens Award for Voluntary Service
by Alan Russell 2 Jun 2013 01:20 BST
2 June 2013
Bury Lake Young Mariners (BLYM), based at Rickmansworth Aquadrome, Hertfordshire, have been awarded the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. This prestigious award is widely regarded as the "MBE for voluntary service."
BLYM takes around 7,500 mostly young people onto the water each year with a club fleet of more than 100 dinghies. The aim is to make sailing an accessible and affordable activity for all, with a combined Royal Yachting Association Training Centre and Sailing Club.
What makes BLYM unique is that the organisation has no paid staff. Activities are provided seven days a week by a network of more than 200 qualified volunteer instructors and helpers who give freely of their time to deliver sailing programmes for schools, youth organisations and individuals. Throughout the year RYA courses are offered to families and individuals, and an open access policy means that anyone can learn to sail at BLYM.
BLYM Chairman Mick Hamilton MBE said: "Everyone at BLYM is thrilled to receive this wonderful recognition of our work for the community. BLYM has grown dramatically in recent years, and this award spurs us in our future ambitions."
These ambitions are evident in well-advanced plans to construct a new £2.8m club house to allow even more people to sail at BLYM, creating a community hub for the benefit of all. The new club house will provide much more extensive facilities, particularly for those with disabilities.
For more information please contact Alan Russell, Hon Treasurer, BLYM on 07850 223219 or email .