Raising money is no tall order for ships' crew
Sailors took to the seas to come up with thousands of pounds of booty for charity.
More than 5,000 was raised from The Tall Ships Youth Trust Regatta, which aims to give young people aged 14-25 a chance to develop skills that will benefit them later in life.
Nineteen crews entered the competition, which was split across four races in the Solent. Eventual winners were Knot Again, an eight-person crew from around the UK.
The money raised will be used to fund sailing trips for youngsters on five vessels run by the Tall Ships Youth Trust, including the Stavros S Niarchos.
More than 1,000 of the total was raised by a party organised by crew members, who sold raffle tickets and donated prizes. There were also a number of collections during the event that contributed towards the final total.
The trust was delighted with the amount collected. Spokesman Tim Law said: 'We are thrilled that so much money has been raised through this year's regatta. The trust is all about team building, challenges and camaraderie and the yacht regatta provided all this and more!'
Tim hoped the event would be bigger and better next year. He added: 'Next year we hope to have 30 yachts entering the regatta to raise even more funds to encourage young people into sailing.'
The trust works with schools, councils, police and fire departments as well as a range of private companies and charities to give young people the opportunity to sail on tall ships.
It has been working since 1956 to help young people learn leadership, communication and mutual understanding.
The teenagers taking part gain a full sailing experience, ranging from taking watches to hoisting the sails. The activities last 24 hours a day, so the trainee crew members work in watches and learn the discipline that comes with sailing on such a large vessel.
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Weather for Portsmouth
Friday 25 May 2012
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Temperature: 13 C to 25 C
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