Extra prizes following extraordinary year

Cowes Sailability Club has presented its annual Achievement Awards 2025, with extra prizes this year for volunteers who have supported the charity during what has been a particularly eventful and successful year.  The award winners were announced by Cowes Sailability Club’s Commodore Roger Sutton during the annual Laying Up Supper, a social event that marks the end of the sailing season and the ‘laying up’ of boats for the winter.  

“It has been an extraordinary year!” said Roger at the event.  “From our successful RIB fundraising campaign to winning local and national awards, there has been lots to celebrate.  It’s been a busy year on the water too, with loads of opportunities for disabled people to get involved in outdoor boating activities.’

Commenting on the Achievement Awards, he explained:  “Trustees were struggling to narrow down the shortlist of candidates for the volunteer prizes this year, as so many people made a really valuable contribution.  It felt only right for us to take the opportunity to congratulate and thank as many people as possible.”

Faye Fearney was the well-deserving winner of the Member Achievement Award for her accomplishments sailing the charity’s Drascombe sailing boats.  Throughout the summer, she left her wheelchair on land and took to the water, confidently helming the boats and bringing laughter and joy to everyone.  Faye also acted as an enthusiastic ambassador for Cowes Sailability Club, nominating it for awards and supporting its publicity.

Damien Ward, Pat Payne, Bill Payne and Richard Fearnley were all presented with Volunteer Achievement Awards for supporting disabled people on the water and on shore.  From helming Cowes Sailability Club’s sailing boats to helping disabled people put on their life jackets, they all contributed to the welcoming atmosphere.

Additional Volunteer Achievement Awards were presented specifically for Cowes Week, the busiest week in the Cowes Sailability Club calendar.  Jenny Clune and Chris Bull were recognised for all their hard work taking bookings and helping to ensure the smooth running of the event.

Finally, Chrissie Smyth, who received a Volunteer Achievement Award previously in 2022, was thanked for her continuing and invaluable contributions to the charity.  Chrissie played a huge role in helping Cowes Sailability Club to secure funding from BBC Children in Need this year and then subsequently helped organise and run the Children’s Event. 

“It’s always so difficult to pick out individual volunteers who have made a difference at the end of each season, because the running of Cowes Sailability Club is very much a team effort,” says Trish Rooke, Vice Commodore and Fundraising Officer of Cowes Sailability Club.  “I would like to thank everyone who has volunteered this year and helped us bring so much enjoyment to people with disabilities.”

Award winners (left to right): Bill Payne, Pat Payne, Richard Fearnley, Faye Fearnley, Chris Bull, Damien Ward and Jenny Clune