Gerry is alway keen to support promote sailing opportunities for disadvantaged children. That is why he is delighted to support Buoyed Up. Buoyed up provides opportunities for 10 to 12 year old children growing up in areas where there are fewer opportunities to develop different interests and learn about the wider world. It delivers a unique experience focusing on Sailing, Enterprise and Achievement. Read Gerry’s interview in Sea Views here: Sea Views with Gerry Hughes
Who are The Sir Thomas Lipton Foundation?
The Sir Thomas Lipton Foundation was founded as a charity in 2010.
Sir Thomas Lipton (1848-1931), was a Glasgow-born tea merchant and America’s Cup challenger. Sir Thomas had a passion for sailing and the sea being accessible to people of all backgrounds and ages.
The Sir Thomas Lipton Foundation is informed, and inspired by this passion as well as his outstanding fairness, perseverance, sportsmanship and positive attitude to life.
We believe that every young person deserves a fair opportunity to discover their talents and exceed expectations.
Our mission is to help the most disadvantaged 10-to-12-year-old young people to:
We achieve our mission via Buoyed Up programme. This is a practical programme that draws on sailing, the boundless inspiration of the sea, and the never-give-up positive attitude of Sir Thomas Lipton.
Buoyed Up is unique. It is delivered for classes of pupils in the final years of primary school before the key transition to the big life changes of teenage years and secondary school.
Buoyed Up is not just a one-off trip or experience. It is delivered over three to four months and combines discoveries of sailing, enterprise, the maritime working world. It draws upon , the life of Sir Thomas Lipton as a narrative to open up new areas of science, engineering, history, sport, culture, and the marine environment.
Why is Buoyed Up so important?
Teachers often tell us that many young people do not know what attainment looks like. This is because they lack confidence and don’t know enough about themselves or their skills and talents. Nor do they know about the many opportunities that may be are available to them. The Sir Thomas Lipton Foundation and Buoyed Up builds confidence by providing the opportunity for young people to discover their hidden potential. This not only helps them in their transition to secondary education and teenage years, it help them identify their own goals and ambitions.
More information about the Sir Thomas Lipton Foundation is available at https://sirthomasliptonfoundation.org/
