UKSA Ambassador receives Isle of Wight Foundation bursary

One of UKSA's Young Ambassadors, Danieka Jerram, 21 of Ryde, is one of the first recipients of the Royal Yacht Squadron's (RYS) Isle of Wight Foundation bursary.

Danieka who completed UKSA's ground-breaking six week Change Direction programme which steers young people off benefits, returned to the centre to volunteer in the watersports department. During this time she also represented the centre as a Young Ambassador at events including Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week.

Members of the RYS have created a new independent registered charity to coincide with their bicentenary celebrations and are already contributing generously to the capital fund that has an initial target of £2 million. The objective is to provide financial support for young people living on the Isle of Wight so that they may participate in further education or acquire vocational skills with a connection to the marine industry that they would otherwise be prevented from achieving.

On receiving the funding for a further seven week residential course Danieka commented; "After I did the Change Direction course I was inspired to continue with UKSA by doing my watersports course. It has really turned my life around and I would love to go abroad to do a watersports season next year. I am really thankful to the RYS as without the funding I wouldn't have been able to have this amazing opportunity."

The Foundation is working closely with the marine industry, schools, colleges and other local organisations to identify potential beneficiaries.

Chairman of the RYS Foundation, Antony Matusch said; "The members of the Squadron, for whom the Isle of Wight has been the club's home for 200 years, are enthusiastically supporting the aims of this new charity. Helping local young people to pursue a career connected to a maritime world is something the members believe is an admirable way for them personally to provide a fitting long term legacy for their bicentenary celebrations this year. We are delighted that one of the first grants we are making is going to Danieka for training at UKSA which will qualify her for a professional career in the watersports industry, including becoming an RYA dinghy instructor."

UKSA work hard to ensure their youth development and maritime training courses benefit the widest possible range of people. Their charitable status is vital because it enables them to deliver so much more than training and certification alone. The centre provides a unique environment and transformational opportunities for everyone, focusing on both work skills and life skills, using the water as the catalyst for positive change; over 9,000 young people are welcomed through the doors every year.

About the UKSA

Youth charity UKSA offers transformational opportunities to 9,000 young people a year through sailing and watersports. It provides adventurous on-the-water activities to schools and groups, offers essential life and work skills through a range of successful youth development programmes, and has a range of structured professional training courses leading to employment opportunities within the maritime industry.

www.uksa.org