Sailability donations via SMS

Novel fund raising technique introduced

Peter Harrison is once again utilising his philanthropic knowledge in sailing with a text message service to promote and advance donations for RYA Sailability, a charity set up to assist disabled sailors and to increase awareness of the possibilities for disabled people in sailing.

The general public are able to donate money by sending the text message “utextme sailability” to 88080 costing them £1.00, which is billed directly to their mobile phone bill, and is paid on their next monthly bill. 55p of the £1 cost for the text message goes directly to the charity to advance disabled sailing.

With a keen interest in disabled sport through the Peter Harrison Foundation and RYA Sailability, his entry of two club teams, the Sailability Admirals Cup Team, into the high profile yachting event, the Admirals Cup, Harrison will be hoping that the ability to raise money through the UTEXTME text service will considerably increase donations to RYA Sailability.

An example of how donations can advance the skills of disabled sailors is apparent in the Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club entry in the Admirals Cup, which sees a team, half of who are disabled but are still holding a strong mid-fleet position on the Team Leader Board on Day 5. The disabled crew on board the Farr 50 Chernikeeff and the Sinergia 40 Chernikeeff 3 have a variety of disabilities to cope with from terminal illness, amputees, loss of sight amongst others, but are proving that disabled sailors can compete on equal terms with some of the best sailors in the world.

The UTEXTME Sailability text message donation is one of the first charities to offer donations over a text message service and is a far more efficient manner of donating funds.

Skipper of Chernikeeff 2 Marc Fitzgerald commented, “With 55% of the £1 cost going straight to RYA Sailability, it is the most efficient way of fundraising. The main reason for signing up for the text service is to raise cash for Sailability but also to raise awareness. The reason for entering a Sailability Admiral Cups Team is to highlight the possibilities for disabled sailors and how able bodied sailors can help to promote the cause.