Patrick de Peyer, who co-founded Cowes Sailability Club 18 years ago and held the position of Commodore for many years, has passed away.

Picture 2
20170604 131520 scaled

Volunteers, members and supporters of Cowes Sailability Club were shocked and profoundly saddened to learn of the death of Patrick de Peyer, who has played a pivotal role in the charity for many years. He was a founding member of Cowes Sailability Club in 2002 and worked with endless energy and enthusiasm to make sailing and boating accessible to people with disabilities and long-term health conditions.

Patrick held many different committee roles at Cowes Sailability Club over the years and completed a three year term as Commodore in January 2019. He passed away suddenly in February 2020, just weeks after members and volunteers had reelected him to the position of Commodore for 2020-21.

Patrick will be remembered especially for running boating trips for people with disabilities and their families during the annual Cowes Week regatta. He organised this event in collaboration with the Wetwheels Foundation, enabling around 200 people to enjoy free boating trips every year.

Above all, Patrick had a gift for making people feel welcome at Cowes Sailability Club. He gave people with disabilities the confidence to try boating and sailing for the first time and also inspired others to get involved as volunteers. He will be missed by everyone.

 

In January last year, Patrick shared his experiences of volunteering with Cowes Sailability Club in an online interview.  Read what he said by clicking here.

Screenshot 2020 04 20 at 10.36.45