Nominations open for MDL Sail Training Awards
MDL Marinas has opened nominations for this year’s Sail Training Awards, which will see a group of deserving young people set sail in April on Ocean Youth Trust South’s sail training vessel, Prolific. These young people will be carefully selected for their exceptional accomplishments, or for overcoming adverse personal circumstances.
The winners will spend six nights living and sailing on the charity’s new acquisition and will become involved in all aspects of life on board, including hoisting sails, helping with maintenance, sailing the boat at night and cooking and cleaning with the rest of the crew. This is an unforgettable sailing experience, departing from and returning to Southampton in April 2017.
If you know a young person aged between 12 and 18, who you feel should be rewarded for their achievements or are an inspiration and support to others, nominations are open until 25 February. Anyone can make a nomination, from youth group leaders, teachers, friends or employers.
Past winners have included young people who have been outstanding achievers, as well as those who have been involved in voluntary work, those who have never had the chance to travel abroad, or have added family responsibilities. Winners will be selected from MDL’s UK marina locations in the South West, Dorset, Hampshire, Thames Valley and East Coast.
Dean Smith, Operations and Marketing Director at MDL Marinas, commented: “We’re delighted to welcome back our hugely popular Sail Training Awards. It’s always a difficult decision to choose the group of young people who will take part in this once-in-a-lifetime trip, however we’re looking forward to seeing the fantastic entries!
Over the past 29 years, the MDL sponsored Sail Training Awards have provided over 150 young people the opportunity to experience a trip on board the John Laing, something which has been life-changing for some of our past winners. This year’s awards will see the launch of Ocean Youth Trust South’s new vessel, Prolific, and those chosen for this exciting trip will be the first training team on her. We’re proud to continue to support Ocean Youth Trust South and the important work that they carry out.”
