Patron

No sailingexperience

necessary

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Back in February 2007, my local news paper the Liverpool Echo was running a competition from the Liverpool 08 Culture Company for three lucky locals to take part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.

“No sailing experience necessary,” it said. Each winner would take part in the essential Clipper training, RYA Sea Survival and then one leg of the race.

“Great”, I thought.It sounded too good to be true.I eagerly told my husband about responding but we quickly looked at reality - mortgages, job, car, bills - so I didn’t apply. I mean, even if I was lucky enough to win, I couldn’t justify raising the funds needed to support me whilst racing - it was figures I simply couldn’t contemplate.

The following Thursday, I saw the advert again, but this time around I’d had a tough weekend at work. Being a night-time Hackney taxi driver, six nights a week, every weekend with the most unsociable hours possible for the last five

years, was becoming tougher to deal with.

Then with no more thought, I put in my written application and waited with baited breath. I was short-listed for an interview, then got the phone call that literally changed my life. I was one of the lucky winners. Fantastic!

My first week training was also my first time on a sailing boat of any kind and I loved every moment. That was it - I caught the bug! I was already a changed lady.

At crew allocation, I realised that there wasn’t a single Scouser on board the Liverpool 08 boat, nor in the fleet completing the full circumnavigation - not one!So I decided then and there that I would try and raise the rest of the funds for the other six legs and complete the full circumnavigation. So in addition to driving my cab at every opportunity, I started fund raising, with two months to go before the race departed.

I put together a sponsor pack and sent it to almost 250 businesses in Merseyside, without success.

But I knew in my heart that it only takes one person to give me a chance …

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Patron

One night I picked up a businessman from Lime Street station and we got chatting. I told him about my dream and in the short journey to his apartment he gave me his business card and said he might be interested in sponsoring me for a leg or two. I heard nothing more until two weeks before the race start.

Out of the blue, this guy from the taxi ride called me up and, to cut a very long story short, he sponsored me to circumnavigate the world.I still pinch myself about that chance meeting. It wasn’t his company sponsoring me and he didn’t want any branded clothing or blogs sent back from the boat. He was just a great guy who could see my passion for the city and how good it would be for me to fulfil my dream. He wanted to give me a chance, just like that.

Then to the race itself - where do I begin? It is by far the most challenging yet exhilarating experience of my life. The mental challenge was fine by me but the reality was I had three weeks’ sailing experience, a watch leader role to

accommodate onboard and the whole world to race nine other boats around - what had I let myself in for?

As you might imagine, I can talk for England but I still struggle to explain how much of a great life changing experience it has been being part of a tight knit team on a 68-foot yacht for almost eleven months. The change in weather is amazing, thegales, storms, summer days and the dreaded Doldrums. The wildlife, dolphins, whales, birds and flying fish. The blackest sky with the greatest number of shooting stars I’ve ever seen, a full moon to light your way and the lifelong friendshipsand life experience you gain.

Since returning from the race in July 2008, I completed my RYA Yachtmaster and am commercially endorsed. My intention was never to return to the taxis (I let Neptune have my cab badge when we first crossed the Equator) but maybe to do some sailing, help out at the local sailing club and get young people from thecommunity into sailing.

With the support of my sponsor, Michael Ryder of Purple Apple Consultancy, I have started own charity. The Lisa Pover Trust supports 14-25 year olds in achieving some form of life-changing experience with the intention of taking part in Clipper Round the World Yacht Races in the future. We have almost 100 people aged 8-48yrs going sailing in the spring 2010! The higher you aim in your life the more you will achieve. No one can say that the path or journey you take will be an easy one, but if you don’t give it a shot, you’ll never know…

“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. Do the thing you think you cannot do.” Eleanor Roosevelt

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T: 0151 703 1073 F: 0151 703 1067info@lisapovertrust.org

About us…The Lisa Pover Trust works with and supports the community, involving young people in ‘life changing’ and challenging maritime activities.

The young peoples experiences are unique, exciting and character building challenges and activities, which will help develop self confidence, self esteem, camaraderie and team building skills in a new and totally fresh environment.

Sailing is both physically and emotionally demanding. It’s a sport that inspires self confidence, acceptance of personal responsibility, acceptance of others regardless of age, social or cultural background, and confidence to take controlled risks. All people - regardless of age, circumstance or ability - should have the opportunity to realise their true potential in order for them to live healthy, fulfilling lives and make a positive contribution to their community and to society as a whole.

Sailing truly brings out everyone’s core talents and personalities. There is no doubt that you have time to think, dream, explore your future and build your confidence and the desire to achieve when you’re sailing an ocean...

Although yacht racing enjoys a glamorous, global image, the main focus of the Trust is on Community/Youth development and activity through sailing. Sailing is a sport that can be as expensive as you’d like it to be. How many people are aware that they can go sailing through Liverpool Yacht Club twice a week for less than the cost of a burger?

It is about time that we put Liverpool back on the map regarding recreational sailing and - given the future plans and developments for not only Liverpool but the whole of the North West’s coast line - we will have the opportunity to open up career paths, interests and aspirations of our communities.

The Reason….Liverpool Summary (information was gathered from Liverpool Primary Care Trust & ONS)

• Many of the people living within Liverpool are amongst the most deprived and disadvantaged in Britain

• Out of 291 Lower Super Output Areas (LSOA) in Liverpool, 162 are in the most deprived 10% nationally (2007)

• Of people of working age, 63.9% are in employment in Liverpool, compared with a national average of 74.2% (July 2006 to June 2007). Employment rates in the over-50s, however, have declined since 2003.

There are more than 200 charities in Liverpool alone and only a handful are marine-orientated. Of the few that thereare, none have the same mission or action plan as the Lisa Pover Trust.

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