Ogston Sailing Club have chosen the John Merricks Sailing Trust (JMST) as their charity of choice for 2005 and will be presenting JMST Trustee Rod Carr, Chief Executive of the RYA, with a cheque at the Fireball Association Stand at 1500 on Saturday 4 March 2006 at Alexandra Palace.

About the donation from the Commodore of Ogston Sailing Club

Each year the Commodore at Ogston SC chooses a sailing related charity to raise funds for through the year. In 2005 I decided the pick the JMST as my charity partly because I knew John well when he was sailing Fireballs but also because I feel that it is really important to support and encourage young sailors from all backgrounds. Over the year we raised just over £200.

About the Club

Ogston Sailing Club is based on Ogston Reservoir, Derbyshire, UK. Founded in 1960, we welcome all those with an interest in dinghy racing, whether young or old, experienced or novice. The main Fleets are Enterprise, Laser, Fireball, and Flying Fifteen although there are other classes of boats sailed under the umbrella of the handicap fleet which includes a growing fleet of Solos.

Ogston is the local base for the ‘Challenger Disabled Sailing Group’, whose members race and compete with the other fleets at the club. Ogston is an RYA/Volvo Champion Club and has a very strong Junior Fleet run by qualified club members helped by parents. There is also an active Youth Fleet for older children and its members are again encouraged to compete in club racing and gain RYA awards.

About the Fireball Class

Like the JMST, the Fireball Class is particularly keen to encourage youth sailors and the Dinghy Sailing Show 2006 sees the official launch of the Fireball GBR Youth Squad – open to anyone under the age of 21 who sails a Fireball. This initiative aims to offer encouragement, training and support to help youth sailors within the class to improve and broaden their sailing experience, as well as to help youth sailors wishing to join the class. For more information go to www.fireball-dinghy.org.uk/youth

For many, their time spent in a Fireball has been a stepping stone and the class roll of honour includes many well-known names – among them 49er Olympic silver medallist Simon Hiscocks, sailing legend Lawrie Smith and even a former Prime Minister, Edward Heath. John Merricks likewise played his part in the class’ success, becoming Fireball National Champion in 1991 before moving on to Olympic triumph.