A MEMBER of Woodbridge Cruising Club was one of a number of East Coast sailors awarded RYA Community Awards for services to sailing this year.

A MEMBER of Woodbridge Cruising Club was one of a number of East Coast sailors awarded RYA Community Awards for services to sailing this year.

The citation from the club about 87-year-old Richard Sampson read: “Richard has given consistent service to the club, promoting safety at sea in the area and to the RYA. He is also the one person in the club who is willing to try his hand at anything to further these aims.

“At the age of 87, he is still sailing, taking part in cruises, participating physically in club working parties and is the most willing volunteer for complex and irksome duties some may judge too trivial for senior member of the club - washing up.

“Richard has also accepted willingly, the club's gift of a PC and has learnt to e-mail so that he is not excluded from committee e-debate.”

Other recipients in the region include Harry Arnott (87), Bury Lake Young Mariners, Herts; Peter Beck, Burnham Overy Staithe SC, Norfolk; Barbara Harrison, UK National Cadet Assc, Duncan Kay, Corinthian Otters, Essex; Val Newton, Welwyn Garden City SC, Herts; Richard Watson, Herts Scouts and Peter Wilson, Blackwater SC, Essex.

The RYA Youth Award also went to an Eastern Counties sailor, Sarah Poxton, 16, of Priory SC, Essex for encouraging other youngsters to learn to sail. Marion Caslake received an Outstanding Contribution Award for her work with Enfield Scouts Sailing Association.

In all, over 40 hard working volunteers from all over the British Isles, were recognised for their dedication and contribution to the sport of sailing and boating, at the RYA Community and RYA Awards presentations. Solo yachtswoman Dee Caffari presented the Awards.

The RYA Awards and Community Awards acknowledge the importance of volunteers within the sailing and boating communities.

They recognise the outstanding contributions, time, effort and experience individuals have made to making it possible for others to enjoy boating and sailing, from establishing clubs, committee participation, to boat maintenance and training.

On average the volunteers gave 24 years service to their clubs - one volunteer has given an incredible 48 years of service - the youngest was 16-years-old Sarah Poxton from Essex.