Volunteering with AHOY

On a bitterly cold day towards the end of January, the SE2 team made their way through the snow to The AHOY Centre for our annual volunteering day.

Based just 5 minutes from our office, in Deptford, the AHOY charity does some amazing work getting people of all ages and abilities involved in water based activities on the Thames. Working mainly with local disadvantaged young people and those with disabilities they teach sailing and rowing and are a fantastic hub in the community. Perhaps most importantly, they also develop the life skills of those who get involved- instilling structure and an ability to work with others. They are also working hard to preserve boatbuilding techniques that are traditional to the Deptford area and later this year will be launching a new apprenticeship scheme, with the aim of equipping young people with high level skills that will help them on the way to future employment.

After arriving at the centre we were very generously plied with cups of tea and biscuits, and given a proper introduction to the work of the charity. However, there was no time to get comfy as we were soon rolling up our sleeves and getting to work! Help with basic cleaning tasks ensures the smooth day to day running of the centre, and ensures they can continue with their amazing work. Some serious oven scrubbing, fridge freshening and window washing ensued, and we have to admit, we were rather pleased with the results!

The Meridian Pull

After volunteering at we came away feeling humbled and inspired, and were determined to do more to help: so we have decided to take the plunge (hopefully not literally…) and enter into one of the centre’s rowing challenges!

The Meridian Pull is the AHOY centre’s newest challenge: a race along the Thames for 8.5 miles from Westminster to Greenwich, past the Houses of Parliament, Southbank and under Tower Bridge. The challenge is run by AHOY several times a year and the overall winners are awarded the prestigious AHOY Meridian Pull Trophy and free entry into the Great River Race.

On the 11^th May Chloe, Kathryn and Hannah will be rowing alongside friends and colleagues Dave Matthews, Bob Clegg, Luke Smith and Dominic Francis, and we’re hoping to raise over £1000 for the AHOY centre. Without this minimum amount we can’t row in the first place, so please sponsor us!! You can find our justgiving page here, or email Hannah to find out about different ways to donate.

Just a bit more information about what the money will be spent on:

• For AHOY to train one young disabled person for an RYA (Royal Yachting Association) qualification costs £1000
• A sailability (the RYA term for getting disabled people on the water) taster day is £80 per person
• Waterproof jackets for disabled people cost £140 each
• A set of sails cost £1100, all the AHOY’s sails now need replacing. Boat covers cost £350 which also need replacing now
• To train a disadvantaged or at risk youth to become an RYA assistant instructor is £2,400
• To run the Shipmates program which is aimed at local young people aged 8-18 and develops life skills such as planning, team work and leadership through sailing and rowing costs £1,200 per year.

This is a such a great cause, we hope you’ll agree and dig deep!

You can find more about AHOY here, and the Meridian Pull here, but we’ll be posting training updates as we go, so keep an eye on the blog and our justgiving page! And, please let Hannah know if you’d like to come along on the day and cheer us on!