Charities were the winners of 20th annual Polypipe Regatta after the event raised a whopping £11,000 for good causes.
Almost 50 boats took to the Port Solent to participate in the friendly competition as more than 400 members of the plumbing, heating and construction sectors raised money for causes including Help for Heroes and the John Merricks Sailing Trust.
The two-day event included a day of sailing and celebration evening of food, live music and entertainment.
Help for Heroes entered three boats in the race, which were filled with ex-servicemen and women who are supported by the charity, and Paralympian long jumper Luke Sinnott – a former Royal Engineer who lost his legs in a bomb blast in Helmand province – spoke to Polypipe’s guests about how Help for Heroes had supported his sporting ambitions.
Polypipe has a long-term association with the John Merricks Sailing Trust, which teaches young people how to sail. Trustee Jim Saltonstall announced that the event has helped to raise £400,000 for the charity over the last 15 years.
An auction and raffle raised more than £8,000, with prizes on offer including Manchester United match tickets, a round of golf and luxury hotel stay at St Andrews and the chance to sail on the classic gaff cutter Thalia.
Meanwhile, surplus food from the event was donated to the LifeHouse homeless shelter in Southsea.
