Historian Dan Snow vows to save Portsmouth's Tall Ships Youth Trust from financial oblivion
HISTORIAN and TV presenter Dan Snow is coming to the rescue of a sailing charity ‘that changed his life’ but is now struggling to stay afloat during the coronavirus crisis.
The television personality will be hosting a virtual quiz on Friday evening to help kick-start a desperate £100,000 campaign to save Portsmouth-based Tall Ships Youth Trust.
The charity, which gives children and young people inspiring opportunities at sea, has been forced to close its doors during the lockdown.
Now bosses fear the organisation may never reopen after the pandemic passes and have issued an urgent plea for help.
It’s a call that Dan has answered. The 41-year-old, who sailed around Scotland with the trust as an 18-year-old, said: ‘I was heartbroken to think that such a wonderful charity – one that I went out with as a kid, which changed my life – might be another victim of Covid.
‘I’m determined to make sure we do everything we can to try and protect it and pass it on to another generation so they can be as lucky as I was.’
The quiz will be held online from 7.30pm and will feature five rounds to test even the brightest of eggheads, covering general knowledge, sport, music, geography and history.
It is free for people to join but viewers are urged to donate to the charity by texting a number featured during the night or by visiting tallships.org/calmerwaters.
All cash raised will go towards the £100,000 Calmer Waters campaign to help the trust continue it’s life-changing work
Speaking of the crisis facing the organisation, the charity’s chief executive Richard Leaman-Grey said: ‘We still do not have the reserves to take us through this unprecedented economic shock.
‘Our cash flow has plummeted and, whilst we are seeking as much relief as we can from government, potential creditors and lenders, this is unlikely to be enough to see us through the current crisis.
‘Our aim, right now, is to be here when the dust settles, so we can continue our life-changing work, and for this, I am asking for your urgent help, please.
‘The government has already admitted that the young, excluded, and economically disadvantaged people will be the worst affected by this pandemic.
‘We believe therefore that the need for our work with disadvantaged young people will be greater than ever when the dust has settled.’
To join the quiz, search for ‘Virtually the Best Quiz Ever hosted by Dan Snow’ on Facebook or follow the link: facebook.com/events/3044531985629998