Bridge of Allan sailor presented with Royal Yachting Association award

Nov 25 2009

SAILOR Mhairi Wilson from Bridge of Allan has been presented with one of the RYA’s (Royal Yachting Association) most prestigious awards by HRH the Princess Royal.

Princess Anne, as the president of the RYA, presented Mhairi with the Community Award for Youth Award at the organisation’s annual awards
ceremony in London.

A total of 49 voluntary awards were presented to winners from across the UK from as far afield as the Isle of Wight to County Antrim.

Mhairi was nominated for her award by RYA council members and was selected as a winner by the awards panel for her work at Loch Venachar Sailing Club.

At the club Mhairi “leads by example, and her welcoming, happy demeanour encourages juniors to get involved”.

Mhairi also organises the annual fun day where all the juniors participate in fun games on and off the water. She organises the event on her own and this year it was the best attended event of the club’s entire season.

Club commodore Pete Bramley paid tribute, saying: “Mhairi has been an exemplary role model for our junior members, setting a gold standard, which inspires our young sailors to follow her lead.

“She has grown in confidence over the years and now manages to juggle a heavy academic workload as a student without it diminishing her commitment to the club.”

Rod Carr, RYA chief executive, said: “The RYA is delighted to make this award in recognition of Mhairi’s enthusiasm and promotion of our sport on Scotland’s sailing scene.

“The work and voluntary time that all 49 RYA winners put into our sport is simply outstanding and it is my pleasure to recognise and celebrate this through these awards.”

Mhairi and the other RYA award winners not only enjoyed a celebratory lunch in the presence of HRH the Princess Royal, but were presented with a commemorative medallion and certificate.