01905 731529
Posted on Apr 23, 2013 by Guy Marson
Modus Creative Director is hoping to conquer a major personal fear by taking to the high seas to raise vital funds for charity
Two Grandads all at sea for Sight Concern Worcestershire
An intrepid Worcestershire businessman is hoping to conquer a major personal fear by taking to the high seas to raise vital funds for charity.
Guy Marson, creative director at Worcester-based Modus Creative, has signed up for a 14-night sailing trip in the Outer Hebrides and is hoping to drum up a significant sum for Sight Concern Worcestershire, a charity dedicated to improving the lives of people with sight loss.
The daunting journey is certainly no pleasure cruise as it will involve a crew of five, under the guidance of 76-year-old skipper Don Gunton, aboard the 38-foot Westerly Oceanranger ‘Alcuin’.
Guy and Don will set sail from Crinan in Argyll, West of Scotland, on Friday, June 14 heading for the World Heritage Site of St Kilda, the most remote part of the British Isles, which lies some 66 kilometres to the west of the Outer Hebrides.
However, it is a challenge with a twist as Guy and Don are both grandads to Don’s daughter’s children Elliot and Lauren.
The challenge came about over a glass or two at Don’s daughter wedding when the skipper, a fully-qualified Royal Yachting Association Offshore Yachtmaster, announced that after more than 30 years’ sailing, including five in the Merchant Navy, he wanted to do ‘the big one’ one last time.
Guy Marson said: “When Don said that he wanted me to join him, I said yes immediately, but that might have been the red wine talking! I didn’t really know exactly where St Kilda was, but trust me I do now. I have never sailed before and it is a massive opportunity for me to conquer a major fear.
“This archipelago features on many people’s ‘bucket list’ and sailing there is a journey that should not be taken lightly and can only be achieved with a good skipper like Don and favourable weather conditions.
Guy added: “I am incredibly daunted by the prospect of spending 14 days and nights at sea. We certainly won’t be dropping anchor at 5pm for a few beers and a barbecue as I had originally hoped!
“There will be a crew of five, plus Don, on the five-berth sloop, so your bed is only yours while you are in it. At least two of the crew will always be on watch as we won’t be stopping.
“I am doing it to raise vital funds for Sight Concern, which is Modus’ business charity of choice. Roger Marshall, my business partner and managing director of Modus, is a board director and trustee of Sight Concern and we have worked closely with them over the years, having rebranded them in 2009.
“One of our clients, Paul Wilson, the sales and marketing director of Dorset-based company TrakM8, who design and manufacture GPS tracking systems, will be providing me with a piece of kit so people will be able to follow our progress as the challenge takes shape.”
Jenny Gage, Chief Operating Officer for Sight Concern, added: “We are really excited for Guy to be taking on this extreme adventure and hugely grateful that he has chosen us as his charity. Guy has been a incredibly supportive of the charity for several years now so he understands how the funds raised assist to support us to help blind and partially sighted people lead independent and fulfilling lives.”
John Keane, Modus’ sales and marketing manager, is leading the way in securing fundraising with four local firms already signed up as ‘sponsors of the day’ and they will be featured on Twitter, (follow Guy @modusman) Facebook and Guy’s blog before, during and after the challenge.
To become a corporate sponsor, please call John on 01905-731529 or, for personal support for Guy and Don, www.everyclick.com/twograndadsatsea
Pictured is Jenny Gage Chief Operating Officer for Sight Concern Worcestershire and Guy Marson Creative Director for Modus Creative.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Lying 41 miles off the west coast of Benbecula, the archipelago of St Kilda is an extreme Atlantic outpost, and one of the few World Heritage Sites in existence awarded ‘Dual’ status for meeting both the natural and cultural criteria for the classification.
With its clear waters and craggy sea cliffs (including one that ranks as Europe’s highest) it is not surprising that St Kilda is home to the continent’s largest colony of seabirds including gannets and puffins. The islands also support a number of unique species including sheep, fieldmice and wrens; making it a fascination natural island environment unmatched anywhere on earth.
Originally settled by humans between four and five thousand years ago, St Kilda’s distance from the rest of the Outer Hebrides allowed for the development of a unique style of self-sufficient island life, that remained much preserved until the archipelago’s eventual abandonment in 1930.
Investigation of the history of St Kilda helps us to understand a little more about the evolution of island communities and the challenges they face from both society and the elements.
Now owned by the National Trust and classified as a National Nature Reserve by Scottish National Heritage, St Kilda is managed in partnership with the Ministry of Defence who lease land here for an important radar tracking station.
Currently home to only a few members of the defence and conservation communities, St Kilda welcomes visitors throughout the year who are drawn to the islands by their wonderful wildlife and fascinating history – much of which can be viewed during a day trip, although there is a small short-stay campsite on the largest island of Hirta that can accommodate up to six people for those who want to extend their explorations.
