Saturday, July 22, 2017

Poole Boat Show Has Hidden Benefits as Royal Navy Mixes with Yacht Buyers

Trade Show and Festival Prompts the Most Worthy of Charity Donations
Shipping News Feature
UK – Trade shows are one thing whilst public festivals quite another yet the Poole Boat Show manages each year to combine the two, with serious buyers looking for a deal on that luxury yacht or sailing dinghy whilst locals and travellers share a day or more celebrating the sunshine (hopefully) and this year viewing the four tall ships moored in the harbour alongside a vast array of smaller vessels, plus a Royal Navy presence including HMS Hurworth, a mine countermeasures vessel which opened to visitors for two days of the three day event.

This year’s celebrations saw around 34,000 visit the Dorset coast and a flavour of just what was on offer, and how much fun was had, can be seen on this short video. More than this however comes the chance to give something back, and the organisers of the annual festivities, the Poole Harbour Commissioners (PHC) have now presented a cheque for £500 to Julia’s House, the children’s hospice charity dedicated to bringing comfort and care to families across Dorset and Wiltshire.

The donation, was made by Jim Stewart, Chief Executive of the PHC, who said what a delight it was to be able to assist a charity which provide such fantastic support to children and their families. The donation came about following the success of this year’s show, which once again was arranged in association with yacht builder Sunseeker, and which saw those crowds flocking to visit Poole Harbour for the three day event. Tai Saxty, Community Fundraiser at Julia's House said:

“It was a pleasure to visit PHC and collect the cheque from Jim Stewart after hearing about their support for Julia’s House. Julia’s House is a lifeline for families facing a desperate reality, that their child may not live into adulthood. Our nurses and carers help families make the most of the time they have together, providing practical and emotional support through frequent, short breaks for mums and dads and social opportunities for the whole family. Julia’s House can’t change the outcome for these families, but we can make a real difference to the quality of their lives.”

Photo: Jim Stewart hands the cheque to Tai Saxty.