Two lucky students have just returned from a character forming week on the North Sea thanks to Richmond Rotary Club.
Every year, Richmond Rotary Trust and Club joins other rotary clubs in the district to sponsor students aged between 14 and 17 years to join the Ocean Youth Trust North boat James Cook for the experience of a lifetime.
Over the past two years no voyages have taken place because of the pandemic.
During this time the vessel has benefited from a total refit.
Richmond Rotary president, Jos Huddleston said: “We were really pleased to be able to sponsor two students this year after the long break of the pandemic.
“The youngsters benefit enormously by being taken out of their comfort zone. We are delighted that the Ocean Youth Trust North has now been able to continue these valuable trips.”
The voyage started from South Shields and the passage took the James Cook first to Blyth and then south to Hartlepool and Scarborough with dolphins for company.
On the return north an early start from Whitby was rewarded with a sighting of a minke whale.
Richmond Rotarian Dr Peter Norton, an RYA Yacht master, said: “Students learn all sorts of new skills, whilst living aboard, working as part of a crew.
“The youngsters not only discover the basics of sailing, seamanship and safety at sea but how important teamwork is, particularly when the weather is sometimes very challenging.”
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Our son Dj was who has recently left Sfx school (to go to college) in Richmond was one of the young men chosen by the Rotary Club, and had a most amazing time on board The James Cook.