Cape Town - More children from underprivileged communities in Cape Town will have the chance to break through in the sailing world thanks to a generous donation made to The Little Optimist Trust.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has sponsored a grant of €26000 (R516087) to the non-profit organisation situated in the V&A Waterfront. The donation comes after the trust was chosen as a laureate for the prestigious Sustained Insight and Impact Initiative.
The programme was launched in collaboration with the IOC to sustain and scale the social impact legacy of the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Greg Bertish, founder of the trust, said the acknowledgement was beneficial for Cape Town and the Waterfront.
“The grant will allow us to implement sailing as a form of therapy but also a means for inclusion to communities who never had access to sailing before,” he said.
The trust was the only NPO from South Africa to be named a winner in 2021, having been awarded one of only nine funds by the IMPACT 2024 Paris Olympics. According to Bertish, they will receive the funding at the start of January.
“Because of this funding, we can keep all the youth and employ them permanently, and they will go out to other sites and train volunteers and staff at other organisations,” Bertish said.
The new funding will allow them to expand their reach across South Africa, setting up multiple new sites and developing even more impactful multi-day programmes.
The Trust’s Sailing Therapy Academy has also made waves over the past three years, positively impacting more than 1000 young lives.
They have been able to give access, knowledge, and therapeutic intervention to those who most need it, thanks to the help of local champions like Two Ocean Marine, Ullman Sails, Italtile, and Southernwind Shipyard.
Grassy Park’s Amir Yaghya is one of many young sailors who have flourished because of The Little Optimist Trust.
Yaghya successfully navigated his way to success in 2023, taking home the SA420 national championship title and winning the fourth Great Optimist Race with Shane Joseph and Josh September.
“Being able to inspire kids to get into the sport of sailing from all over brings me great joy, the innovation of The Little Optimist Trust is exactly what we need in our communities to empower kids to chase their dreams,” he said.
“From the inner child within me, sailing is an all-time great sport and should be recognised all over, just check out The Little Optimist Sailing Academy.”
At the same time, the US is acknowledging the efforts of The Little Optimist Trust. Bertish has just returned from a trip to the country, where he was invited to speak at and host workshops at some of the most prestigious yacht clubs and community sailing centres.