Blyth Tall Ship Finds Home Thanks to North P&I Club

Leading marine liability insurer, the North of England P&I Association (North P&I Club) has helped house a major heritage attraction in Blyth thanks to a grant from its Fund at the Community Foundation.

The North 150 Fund at the Community Foundation made an award of £10,000 to create a berth for Blyth’s community tall ship, which is set to become a major attraction at the North Sea Tall Ships Regatta from 26 August to 29 August 2016. The project also received support from Awards for All to purchase a pontoon.

Catherine Doyle, Senior Executive (Claims) at North P&I Club said:

“Blyth Tall Ships received £10,000 as one of our flagship awards in 2015 to purchase much needed berthing equipment. We’re passionate about the area in which we operate, and are delighted to play a part in housing one of this summers’ major attractions.

”As a commitment to our local communities we can announce that we are putting a further £30,000 into our North 150 Fund at the Community Foundation to support more causes in the North East, and we’d like to encourage other groups to contact the Community Foundation for support.”

Clive Gray, Chief Executive of Blyth Tall Ship said:

“We’d like to thank North and the Community Foundation for assisting us in housing the 100-year-old ship William II, which we brought over from Denmark. Since 2009 we’ve worked hard to bring the ship to the region, and we’re delighted to berth her in the historic Port of Blyth.

”Following the footsteps of local skipper William Smith, who built and launched his brig ‘Williams’ from a slipway in Blyth 200 years ago. We plan to refit and restore William II to her former glory, before recreating his original voyage which resulted in the discovery of part of Antartica.”

Gill Lowing, Senior Philanthropy Advisor at the Community Foundation added:

“As one of the top three members of the International Group of P&I Clubs, North has a long history of success, and we’re delighted to connect them with one of our region’s most exciting maritime charities.

“Blyth Tall Ships is not only a wonderful attraction, but a great asset to the region as an employer. The charity provides a unique opportunity for apprentices to learn heritage and shipbuilding skills that will help them secure employment.“

North P&I Club has donated an additional £30,000 to the Community Foundation and is looking to support more causes in Tyne & Wear and Northumberland.

For more information about how you can apply to the Community foundation visit www.communityfoundation.org.uk.

Ends

Notes to Editors

The Community Foundation acts as a hub for individuals, families, businesses, and other charities that want to give to communities, by matching their interests with those seeking funding.

It provides help for children and older people, people affected by disadvantage and ill-health and those seeking education and work, as well as providing grants to support the arts, the environment, community activities and amateur sport.

The Newcastle-based charity, the UK’s biggest Community Foundation, has built an endowment of over £67 million from donations to the various funds it holds.

A grant of £10,000 was used to purchase fencing, fixings, a ramp, gate and electrical/water supply to the berth. The project has also received £9,950 in funding from Awards for All to purchase pontoons.

For further information please call Iain Riddell, Communications and Development Executive on 0191 222 0945, or email ir@communityfoundation.org.uk

Catherine Doyle, Senior Executive (Claims) at North P&I Club and Gill Lowing, Senior Philanthropy Advisor at the Community Foundation

Catherine Doyle (North P&I Club) with Gill Lowing (Community Foundation) and Blyth’s Tall Ship Crew