Merricks Trust to the rescue

Mini sailor Nick Bubb receives their largest donation to an individual

The John Merricks Sailing Trust is very pleased to announce their support of Nick Bubb’s Mini Transat campaign with a £5000 grant. This is their largest single grant yet to a private individual and is the 28th grant the JMST has awarded.

Nick and many friends worked tirelessly to build his new Mini in record time this winter. Having completed over 3,000 miles in her with some impressive results already this year, he looks set to take the class by storm. The recent news that his primary sponsor would not be renewing their support due to a change in marketing strategy (Nick is very grateful for the help Northern Computers gave him to start his new campaign) left the whole project in jeopardy, this despite continued support from other companies and private individuals. Co-owner Richard Woolf (along with Nick/the bank) allowed Nick the opportunity to realise his dreams by providing a large percentage of the build cost as an interest free loan.

The John Merricks Sailing Trust has recognised Nick’s tremendous dedication and commitment, two qualities which were personified by the late John Merricks’ himself. John’s former sailing partner and JMST Trustee Ian Walker added "Nick deserves all the support we and anybody else can give him. The Trustees were all very impressed by the lengths he has gone to thus far to realise his dream. We wish Nick all the best for these races and for the Mini Transat. With other people’s help I’m sure he has a great future ahead of him."

The money comes just in time for Nick who can now prepare for the Mini Fastnet, which starts on 15 June from Douarnenez in France. Nick then has three further build up races and several thousand miles to go before the Transat itself. His boat will be re-named the ‘John Merricks Sailing Trust’ until he secures a new main sponsor.

When greeted with news of the support, Nick said: "I am extremely grateful, not only to the trustees but also to all the people who's hard fundraising efforts made this support possible. I am proud to represent the trust and John's memory. I’m looking forward to trying to emulate John’s success and will certainly do my bit to raise funds for the trust when the opportunity arises.”

Nick is currently en route to France to make the start of his next race.

UTEXTME sponsor Nick Bubb with a totally free text service, simply send 'utextme nick bubb' to 88080 to receive updates on Nick's progress. This is a free SMS service

John Merricks Sailing Trust - The objects of the Trust are to advance the education and physical and mental development of young people (under the age of 25 years) in need with a view to promoting the achievement of their potential through the sport of sailing. Please see www.jmst.org.uk for more details and latest news.