Team GB’s 49er sailing duo took time out from training to receive over £7,000 from Palmers Brewery to help young or disabled people enjoy the thrill of sailing with the Chesil Trust.
Ben Rhodes and Stevie Morrison, placed fifth in this year’s 49er class in the Olympic sailing events held on Dorset waters, were on hand to take care of the cheque at the Bridport brewery, with Head Brewer Darren Batten and David Dunn, Chairman of the Trustees of the Chesil Trust.
For every pint of Palmers Dorset Gold sold in Dorset, 5p is donated to the Trust. Sales of Dorset Gold have grown rapidly since its introduction in 1999, and the ale is now available in bottles as well as on draught, with 5p per bottle on every bottle sold across the UK going to the Trust. In total, Palmers has donated £23,500 since it began supporting the Chesil Trust in 2007.
The Chesil Trust assists in the provision of facilities for training in sailing and seamanship and other activities. To date the Trust has enabled almost 11,000 children to go sailing for the first time and has also assisted talented young sailors from Dorset.
Cleeves Palmer, Sales and Marketing Director at Palmers Brewery, who donated a barrel of Palmers Dorset Gold to Ben Rhodes on his wedding day in September, said: ‘We’re very keen to help the continual development of community sailing in Weymouth, providing opportunities to help build a sporting legacy.
‘Chesil Trust events have always been a tremendous success and we’re delighted to introduce more children to the exciting sport of sailing. Who knows, we’ll perhaps discover among them the next generation of Olympians.’
David Dunn, Chairman of the Trustees of the Chesil Trust, said: ‘For over five years, Palmers Brewery have been one of our most generous sponsors. Their support helps us keep running our Sail For A Fiver programme, which so far has introduced around 11,000 children to sailing. We’re also able to put those who shine through the RYA course Level 2.’
Ben Rhodes said: ‘The Chesil Trust is a great charity that offers amazing support and could be the only chance some people have to experience sailing.’
Stevie Morrison said: ‘The Olympics is about a legacy and the work done by the Chesil Trust is trying to help make the legacy a reality. Palmers Dorset Gold is close to our hearts as well, as we were hoping to win a gold medal in Dorset and Prince Charles christened our new boat with a bottle of Palmers Dorset Gold.’
Ben and Stevie will start training for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in March and hope it will be third time lucky for their bid to win gold. The pair are looking for sponsors and have asked interested parties to contact them through their Facebook Page, Morrison Rhodes 49er Campaign, or their Twitter accounts, which are @exmouth49er and @morse49er respectively.
