A charity that was set up by a Helensburgh man in 2016 will achieve two landmarks this year.
Autism on the Water (AOTW) is the UK’s only charity for autistic sailing and boating.
It now has three bases in Scotland as well as growing interest in England and has been announced as affiliated charity for Cowes Week 2025 – the world’s largest regatta.
And this summer AOTW will run its first major regatta from July 10-13 at Crinan in Argyll, with more than 60 boats already registered.
Murray MacDonald (pictured above) is founder and director of the charity.
“I started AOTW one night in my flat in Edinburgh,” said Murray, who is himself ‘autistic and proud of it’.
“It was simply a Facebook page; there was no plan, no money, no boats, I mean there was nothing but imagination.
“Eventually, we hosted an open day for autistic children to enjoy free sailing and, on the day, a mother told me that her seven-year-old spoke verbally for the first time which was a magical moment and I was like “wow what have I started?’.”
The charity now has five yachts, a following of 14,000 on social media and has helped 2,500 people get afloat.
Based in Helensburgh since 2021, AOTW runs a free community sailing programme from Rhu Marina for the local area with its Achilles 24 yacht Inclusion, and also operates from Tayvallich and Edinburgh.
It has received support from Rhu Marina, Boatfolk, Gare Loch Yacht Storage, Cove Sailing Club and Helensburgh Sailing Club, among many others, and Murray is keen to hear from new sponsors.
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