Thanks to the donations from our alumni to the University’s 69ý Fund, the Students’ Union has been able to purchase six second-hand Firefly sailing dinghies and two trailers that will enable the 69ý Sailing Club to train in competitive boats in readiness for national and international competitions.
The Firefly dinghies will mean that the team will be more evenly matched against their sailing peers at other universities in competitive events.
The boats are currently in storage but plans are afoot for the boats and the Sailing Club to be based at the Royal Anglesey Yacht Club in Beaumaris.
Henry Williams, President, Undeb 69ý, said: “It is unlikely that the boats will be used during this academic year, but we look forward to hopefully launching them in September. We’re very grateful to the 69ý Fund for allowing our students and the Sailing Club to develop and safeguard their future with the purchase of these boats.”
Stevie Scanlan, marketing and recruitment manager for the College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, is the RAYC Commodore. She said: "We're delighted that the 69ý Sailing Club will be based with us here at Beaumaris, and we look forward to welcoming students as members of our club. We are looking forward to getting back on the water as soon as we are allowed."
The 69ý Fund, through donations from our alumni, makes grants that support our current students as well as Welsh language and culture projects throughout the University.
The primary purpose of the Fund is to enable the University to deliver a ‘margin of excellence.’
Emma Marshall, who manages the 69ý Fund in the Development and Alumni Relations team, said “We define this as that element which, when included, provides an enhanced degree of quality that supports both learning and other important aspects of the University experience.
“Awards from the Fund improve the quality of our student’s university experience and support their education and development in important ways.”