A Burnham-On-Sea sailing enthuasiast is set to sail across the Atlantic in a prestigious tall ships race this summer.
Nathan Meager has volunteered for over 17 years with the Rona Sailing Project, an initiative that helps develop young people from all walks of life and abilities, by positively changing their lives.
Operating three custom-built sail training yachts, the project runs sail training voyages for people aged between 14-25 usually around Europe and the UK, but every 8-10 years the fleet goes transatlantic – and Nathan is set to take part in this year’s challenge.
Nathan – who is a Burnham RNLI lifeboat crewmember – has been selected for the leg from Halifax in Canada to Le Havre in France in the Rendezvous 2017 Transatlantic Tall Ships Race.
He has also been given the responsibility for organising all the food and logistics for a 154-day adventure for 23 people across numerous countries and over six legs.
Nathan told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “I joined the Rona Sailing Project in 1999 and it changed my life, so much so that I have volunteered ever since by donating my time and money to help future children and young people benefit from the skills I have learnt.”
“Being part of this event has been a voluntary project that has been part of my life for over two years involving various fundraising and sponsorship activities.”
“It would not have been possible without the help and assistance of many people. This is a huge endeavour for everyone involved and is likely to involve some pretty strong winds and rough seas over many weeks in order to cross the Atlantic!”
The project is one of the oldest sail training organisations in the UK, established for over 50 years. In that time, it has taken over 30,000 young people to sea and given them the experience of a lifetime, greater self-confidence and a new perspective on the world.
Burnham Lifeboat Operations Manager Matt Davies added: “We at the station are all extremely proud of what Nathan has undertaken and wish him all the best for his trip and a safe return.”
See https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/nathanmeager1 for details of how you can help him raise funds for the Rona Sailing Project.
