Hurstpierpoint student builds model yacht to raise valuable funds for Newhaven RNLI

Bea’s Year 9 class were invited by their school to take on a creative project of their choice. Bea’s passion for sailing led her to IOM model yachts and the challenge of building one herself.

Bea said: "I built the yacht in my grandfathers workshop. It was very precise and tricky work, the gluing of each individual mahogany strip, in particular, took a great deal of time and concentration."

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Bea built the hull using one centimetre wide by one metre long lengths of mahogany strips. These were fixed around a template and both ends were tapered, so that they fitted at the bow and stern ends of the vessel, as a full size wooden boat is made.

Bea’s grandfather, Noel West of Piddinghoe, said: "Once Bea had got underway with her project, it became apparent that it was going to be extremely expensive to get it finished. The keel alone can cost £300 and a completed model can be £2,000."

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With the help of her grandfather, Bea appealed to IOM-GBR members, who responded with great generosity in an effort to help Bea complete her project, which she did, over a period of six months and predominantly during lockdown.

Noel added: "Many IOM sailors contributed the parts that Bea required, including the keel, rudder, mast, sails and radio control gear. It really was amazing."

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By way of thanks for the members’ donations of model-parts, Bea’s grandfather promised to make a donation to the RNLI in recognition of the IOM-GBR members help.

Bea and her grandfather visited Newhaven Lifeboat station to meet her volunteer crew and coxswain/mechanic Lewis Arnold. They presented their RNLI donation of £250.

Lewis said: "We are so impressed with Bea’s commitment and hard work. It is very blowy today out on our decking and her IOM rigging is weathering the storm!’

Bea is a keen and active sailor. She represented Great Britain in the 2021 Optimist Team Centenary Regatta on Lake Garda in Italy.

She said: "I sail a Laser now and hope I will have the opportunity to represent my country again. It’s really nice to know the Lifeboat is there when we’re out on the water practising and racing."

Lewis added: "We are extremely grateful to Bea and her grandfather for their support of the RNLI and helping us to save lives at sea. We wish Bea every success with her sailing."

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