The John Merricks Sailing Trust (JMST) has made its 100th award and has now awarded over £160,000 in total to deserving individuals or community sailing projects. The 100th award was made to the 2007 420 Youth champion Peter Irwin from Scotland who will use the money to help fund his expenses to compete with his crew David Kohler in the 420 World Championship this Summer in Athens, Greece.

Out of the £160,000 awarded so far £60,000 has gone to individuals and £100,000 has been awarded to community projects such as club junior sailing programs. This money alone has helped to purchase over 80 dinghies or boards for youth and junior sailing and given thousands of kids access to the sport of sailing.

John’s former sailing partner and JMST Trustee Ian Walker added, “It is a tribute to the fantastic support we get from John’s friends, sailors and the marine industry in general. We always aim to have fun raising the money and it has all been raised within our sailing community. Thank you to everyone who has supported us and remembered John in a positive way”

After a very successful Tiger Trophy, Marine Industry Regatta, Tartan Trophy and Glyn Charles Pursuit Race in 2008 the next big events are: The Bugle Annual Charity Cricket Tournament in aid of the JMST on Sunday 27 July at Hamble Playing Fields, Spitfire Way, Hamble, Hampshire; and the North Sails Golf Day in aid of the JMST on Friday 24 October at Cams Hall Golf Club, Fareham, Hampshire.

For further information about the trust, visit www.jmst.org.uk .