Page 40 - Yachter Autumn 2020

40 HONORARY MEMBER
HONORARY MEMBER
MARK TODD – OCEAN YOUTH TRUST
Thirty years ago, I was a young solicitor, dreaming at my desk about one day buying a boat. I got impatient and looked at other ways of starting sailing - stumbling across what was then the Ocean Youth Club.
Joining as volunteer, I was quickly offered
a job as Bosun and that was me hooked.
I ended up skippering OceanYouthTrust South’s vessel John Laing and am now a relief skipper on our new boat Prolific and Chief Executive of OYT South. You may have seen Prolific on her berth in OceanVillage:
a replica of a Lowestoft fishing trawler, 114 GT but with a modern rig, able to go to windward.You can cruise at 10 knots and still enjoy a cuppa on the foredeck! As I write, COVID -19 restrictions mean we are still unable to sail with young people. Clearly, this pandemic has devastated many lives, severely affecting the wellbeing and mental health of young people.We cannot wait to get back to work and playing our part in helping young people rebuild their lives.
Please do come and say a “socially distanced” hello to Prolific ... although at sea the 4m bowsprit does maintain a certain social distance!
If you are interested in sailing for young people or adult volunteers or supporting our work contact me at marktodd@oytsouth.org and you can read more about us at www.oytsouth.org/charity.asp