Ahoy Shipmates,
You’ll know the sad news of Lofty’s passing and will, like us all, miss his large, loud, and laughing presence during this year’s sailing season and beyond.
A number of Visa-gb folk attended the celebration of Lofty’s life organised by his family.  It would be wrong to call it a fun event but we did laugh a lot, we did cry a bit and we enjoyed the stories of a life well lived.

Now, thanks to Steve, Lofty’s brother, we are delighted to announce Lofty’s Legacy.

This is bursary set up, thanks to Steve’s generous contribution, will make sure Lofty’s dream of giving those that can least afford it the chance of trying sailing and experiencing the benefits it brings.
Each year a number of berths on our trips will be supported by Lofty’s Legacy, empowering and encouraging someone who had thought sailing was out of their reach.

It was an emotional moment talking with Steve, and Lofty’s son Richard, about what sailing had meant to him and how he had benefitted from it.  It’s wonderful that his spirit will live on and Lofty’s Legacy will be the platform for others to benefit.

A heartfelt thanks to Steve, Richard, James and the rest of the family.

Picture shows Lofty sitting in the cockpit wearing a brightly coloured & patterned shirt, with shorts on and looking towards the camera waving his right hand with a cheeky grin on his face.