Over 80 local children were given a trip to remember last week when they were taken out to see the magnificent J Class yachts at close quarters.

The crews of J Class yachts Lionheart, Ranger and Velsheda all took time out to wave at the children as they came alongside.

“The J Class yachts have each helped to make this possible, contributing along with the RCYC towards the cost of arranging the day out, which was a marvellous gesture,” said Robin Taylor, Royal Cornwall Yacht Club event director for the J Class Regatta.

“We hope this provided a really memorable and life-enhancing experience for all. We had children from Penhaligon’s Friends, local Sense UK Charities, Children’s Hospice South West as well as local schools Falmouth, Helston and Richard Lander Schools’s Ark Unit, and it was a joy to welcome them.”

Two trips were arranged, the first blessed with sunshine, the second with rather more challenging sea conditions, but that only drew more admiration from the crews.

“We could see that nothing was going to stop the children, their helpers and the RCYC staff assisting them from coming out,” said Louise Morton, class secretary of the J Class yachts. “It was a great sight and we were delighted to see the way the children enjoyed this and also the spirit in which the very busy and hard-working yachts and their crews have embraced this idea.”