Skipper Sleeps on Deck for Shelterbox Appeal

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Night Under Boat Canvas – Thurs 19th November 2009

On co-founder of Classic Sailing Debbie Purser is planning to sleep on deck of pilot cutter ‘Eve of St Mawes’ on Thurs 19th November 2009 in aid of Shelterbox.

Shelterbox is an innovative Cornish Charity that sends out disaster Relief in its purpose built large survival boxes packed with tents, tools and even crayons and books for the children to disaster areas around the world

"Sponsor me to last out the night or by the hour –if you think I’m not tough enough !"

I’m planning to use a sail as a tent over the boom, and will probably sleep in a hammock if it rains and the deck is wet. This is the last charter voyage of the season so hopefully it will give me a long enough lead in to raise some decent sponsorship.

I have never personally tried to raise money for charity before except pretty paltry sums but the Shelterbox appeal for urgent funds struck a chord. They are committed to an unprecedented five disasters worldwide at the moment which is stretching resources to the limit. It is also a local charity based in Helston, Cornwall.

My RYA students don't have to join me on deck !

After a wild November day out in the elements my sailing guest crew learn to appreciate the benefits of a wooden deck over their heads for shelter. Eve has big water tanks, a stove to cook, and enough cosy company around our oak dining table to not need heating below decks. In our wooden ‘tent’ we generally re-discover the resourcefulness and kindness of humans living in close proximity to each other. I think most my sailing guests over the last twelve years would have enough imagination to understand the value of SHELTER and how long they might last without it.

Sleeping on deck is another matter. In the middle of the Caribbean on a tall ship without air conditioning – maybe, but on Eve the only time I have tried it was in August in the Scillies. I slung a hammock under the boom because it was a more attractive proposition than rolling in my bunk due to ocean swell. By 3am watching the masthead gyrating dizzily around the solar system was enough for me to ‘lay below’ to the comforts of my bunk.

Whats in the Green Box ?

For those not familiar with Shelterbox have a look at their website. The disaster relief kit in a box is so simple, but just so perfect. I had a look to see what they put in a Shelterbox. It is a pared down lightweight version of what I carry on a 14 ton pilot cutter so I can be self sufficient in remote locations and cope with emergencies. Luckily the box is a lot lighter than Eve to transport. Each box costs £490.

www.shelterbox.org

Classic Sailing Will Donate £100 per RYA Booking on Eve in 2009

My idea to sleep on deck was a throw away line to a West Briton journalist, when we were trying to find the best way Classic Sailing could help Shelterbox as a follow up to  a West Briton Newspaper Appeal.

If you want to help and gain a RYA qualification, my company is already hoping to donate £100 for every new full price RYA booking we take for RYA Competent Crew and Day Skipper courses running between now and the end of November 2009.

More on how you can help Shelterbox by booking a RYA course and RYA special offers

Fundraising Target for Friends of Debbie

Personally I would be really chuffed to be able to raise enough for one box through the sponsored ‘sleep under canvas on deck’.

There is probably enough deck space for 3 people under a boom tent or 5 at a push. If anyone wants to join me underneath Eve’s canvas sails for one night on this particular RYA course, please e mail me at skippers@classic-sailing.co.uk and we can talk through ‘sleeping arrangements’ . If you don’t fancy it on the night just come and enjoy the sailing, nautical den building, a bit of party and take a few photos !

Donate Now via Just Giving

To see how my personal fund raising is going please go to my charity event page on Just Giving Website. This really is the safest and easiest way to make sure that shelterbox will get the money promptly. Feel free to suggest any silly ideas or knit me some wooley socks !

Debbie Purser Charity Fundraising page on Just Giving

Current Active Disaster Relief from Shelterbox

In September & October 2009 there has been a succession of catastrophic large scale disasters to hit the Pacific, leaving thousands without shelter. The series of devasting Tsunamis, typhoons and earthquakes hit the region leaving whole communities in need of help.
Shelterbox are currently operating in the field with volunteers deploying their life saving green boxes in:
Sumatra – Earthquake 2009
Samoa - Tsunami 2009
Phillipines – Typhoon 2009
Niger – Flood 2009
Indonesia – Earthquake 2009