The memory of Olivia Burt is honoured with the launch of a new dinghy at Lymington's sailing club for children, where she learnt to sail
Paula and Nigel Burt with Commodore Freya Baddeley at Salterns Sailing ClubIn November, Salterns Sailing Club welcomed Paula and Nigel Burt for the launch of a new dinghy named in memory of their daughter Olivia who was killed in a tragic accident whilst studying at Durham University in February 2018. The 'Olivia Inspires' RS Tera will join the fleet at Salterns, Lymington's sailing club for children that is run by children, and is named after the charity ‘Olivia Inspires’ that has been set up to enable the spirit of Olivia to live on by helping young people in the New Forest to realise their potential.
Speaking to members of Salterns Sailing Club on the pontoon, Nigel Burt said: "Olivia started sailing at Salterns Sailing Club when she was just 5 years old and she absolutely loved it, doing all the Moppy Camps and sailing in an oppie. Olivia loved her sailing and got so much out of it, moving from optimists to lasers and ultimately she was doing team racing at Durham when the tragedy happened.
Out of that tragedy we really want to make something positive happen, which is why we have set up Olivia Inspires to help young people in the New Forest. Olivia was the sort of person who took up every opportunity that was going. If there's a message to give to you youngsters, it is that if you see an opportunity, grab it with both hands. Opportunities don't come along all the time, take every opportunity and make the most out of your life. Good luck to all of you and enjoy sailing Olivia Inspires."
Olivia Inspires Tera Members of the Junior Committee then read out Neptune's boat launch speech, wishing good luck and safe voyage, with offerings made to the North, East, South and West, before launching the 'Olivia Inspires' Tera into Eight Acre Pond.
Commodore Freya Baddeley (aged 16) presented a framed tribute to the Club. "Before heading to university, Olivia attended Bournemouth School for Girls, where I remember her as a kind, talented and inspirational Head Girl. Many of the Junior Committee also remember her helping out at Salterns, she was kind, helpful and clearly loved sailing. I hope through this Tera, named in her honour, that Olivia’s memory will live on at Salterns Sailing Club for many years to come."
Salterns Sailing Club have also awarded Olivia posthumously with a Salterns Gold Pennant, in recognition of her sailing achievements. Olivia represented Great Britain at the European Laser 4.7 Youth Championships in the Netherlands in 2011 and at the Laser Radial Youth European Championships in Denmark in 2014.
Olivia InspiresApplications welcome for a grant from Olivia Inspires...
Olivia Inspires is a new charity in the New Forest that allows the spirit of Olivia Burt to live on. Born out of tragedy, the charity will help young people in the New Forest District Council area who are facing financial hardship to develop their potential in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths), the Arts and Sport.
Olivia Inspires helps children and young people aged 11 to 18 years, whose families live in the New Forest District Council area and who are facing financial hardship. Grants of normally no more than £500, are awarded for items or services which enable them to develop their potential in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), the arts and sport.
There are be three application deadlines each year, although applications are welcome at all times. If you know someone who might benefit from an Olivia Inspires grant, please suggest they complete an application.
Find here full details of how to apply for support: https://www.oliviainspires.org.uk/how-to-apply-for-an-olivia-inspires-grant/
Find out more about Olivia Inspires here.
More details about Olivia Inspires can be found here: https://www.oliviainspires.org.uk/ There is also a Facebook page for Olivia Inspires. Please have a look, Like and Share: https://www.facebook.com/oliviainspires
