They will join the John Laing, operated by the Ocean Youth Trust South
Six youngsters have won a trip on a sail training ship courtesy of annual awards organised by marina operator MDL.
The six were selected due to their ‘exceptional accomplishments, or for overcoming adverse personal circumstances’.
Charlie Linsell, aged 15, from Clopton in Suffolk, Jennifer Newrick, 13, from Torquay, Chloe Sharmen, 15, from Portsmouth, Connor Sherman, 13, from Southampton, Liam Rice, 12 from Totton and Emma Cope, 15, from Tadley in Hampshire, will join the John Laing, operated by the Ocean Youth Trust South for a week.
They’ll get to grips with navigation, plotting their intended course themselves, as well as trimming sails, scrubbing down, maintenance and cooking for the rest of the crew.
The boat will leave from Queen Anne’s Battery in Plymouth on Sunday 22 July. The winners will also attend the PSP Southampton Boat Show on 20 September, where they will be presented with a trophy by the owner of MDL Marinas, Lord Iliffe.
MDL’s Chief Operating Officer Jon Eads said: ‘Our awards have so far helped well over a hundred youngsters to experience something truly exceptional.’
Mark Todd, Chief Executive of Ocean Youth Trust South, said: ‘We aim to reward all our crew with a fun, adventurous voyage which they will remember all their lives – but also to help them develop skills and qualities such as confidence, team-working and the ability to cope with unfamiliar experiences, which will stand them in good stead for the future.’