As a result of our donation to the Jubilee Sailing Trust, we were invited out on the Lord Nelson for a day sail, to see where the money goes that is donated to the Trust.

Lord Nelson"We were welcomed aboard by the Captain and other officers of the permanent crew and immediately invited below to join the voyage crew for a bacon butty, introductions and hellos.

The Lord Nelson can accommodate 50 voyage crew, 50% of whom can be disabled in one way or another, and 8 of whom can be wheelchair dependent.

Some of our companions of the day had MS, some learning difficulties, some visually impaired and others able-bodies folk, who had been given the day sail as birthday gifts.

The one thing we all had in common was that we were involved in all duties, from squaring the rigging prior to setting the sails, to heaving up the yard arm, climbing the rigging, coiling ropes and so on.

Lord Nelson"The galley crew dished up curry, chilli, salads, baked potatoes and beans, which was all heartily consumed. Volunteers from the JST were on hand to help in anyway needed and by the end of the day, confidence was clearly seen in those who had come on board as shy and doubting their ability to join in. Lord Nelson


"We can only image the benefit that could be gained from a few days on board. Able bodied voyage crew are "buddied up" with the less able, lifts and stair chairs are provided for those with walking difficulties, so no-one needs to be in doubt that this is an all inclusive Trust, which would benefit anyone with any type of disability, and provide a great voyage for anyone wishing to experience sailing on a Tall Ship."