Nathan's charity trip is sailing along (From Barry And District News)

Nathan's charity trip is sailing along

A BARRY teenager has weighed anchor and taken on the challenge of the highest and fastest tides in the United Kingdom, raising cash for Ty Hafan.

Nathan Bailey is only 13-years-old, but sailed across the Bristol Channel single-handed to raise funds for The Children's Hospice in Wales.

In his single sail, seven-foot Optimist dinghy he set out from Mermaid Quay, Cardiff, at 9am on Saturday, August 21, heading for Weston-super-Mare.

Nathan started sailing with his father from a young age. He began handling his own boat two years ago at Barry Yacht Club, and at present is in the Welsh National Sailing Squad. He was determined to succeed in his bid to raise funds for children not as fortunate as himself. The 10-mile odyssey took just 2 hours and 20 minutes - and raised over £2,000 for the children's hospice in Cardiff.

Robert Dangerfield, spokesman for the Welsh Yachting Association said: "As far as we know, it's the first time the Channel has been crossed by such a small sailing boat. The Optimist dinghy is just seven feet long, but is a well-established racing sail-boat for youngsters. Most of our Athens Olympic sailors started-off in the Optimist dinghy."

The crossing was supported and monitored by two support vessels provided by the RNLI, Cardiff Bay Yacht Club and the Welsh Yachting Association.

Nathan, who attends St Cyres School, Penarth, has been sailing for just over two years, said: "I wanted to test my sailing skills to the limits, and at the same time raise vital funds for the hospice."

Nathan's father, Mike, added: "Nathan's sailing skills are very good, and bigger waves further-out provided some especially testing conditions and a fantastic sailing experience. Nathan now feels confident to take on almost anything!"

If you would like to show your own support for Nathan, call 01446 721230 or Cardiff Bay Yacht Club on 02920 666627.