Oarsome boost

Mark Grinter and Elaine Hamilton from Unite Students Portsmouth with Oarsome Chance Principal John Gillard, centre, launch their support of Oarsome Chance as the companys Charity of the Year at the Maritime Workshop in Gosport.
Picture: Jason Brodie-Browne — Mark Grinter and Elaine Hamilton from Unite Students Portsmouth with Oarsome Chance Principal John Gillard, centre, launch their support of Oarsome Chance as the companys Charity of the Year at the Maritime Workshop in Gosport. Picture: Jason Brodie-Browne

Oarsome Chance, which helps youngsters who are disengaged from mainstream education try rowing on the Solent, and teaches vocational skills linked to boat maintenance and building, has been chosen byÂ Unite Students Portsmouth as its charity of the year.

Unite, which manages the yellow-topped building in Greetham Street dubbed the '˜Minion', provides accommodation for almost 3,000 studentsÂ in the city.

The company plans to take part in fundraising initiatives on behalf of the charity.

'˜We're delighted that the team at Unite Students Portsmouth has chosen Oarsome Chance as their Charity of the Year. It will not only provide a valuable fundraising boost, but will also help to raise awareness in Portsmouth of the work we are doing with young people who are struggling in the mainstream education system,'Â said Oarsome Chance principal John Gillard.