#SailForJack - This Friday 29 August the Royal St George Yacht Club will host a special 'Sail for Jack' charity pursuit race in aid of local man Jack Kavanagh, who was paralysed in a freak accident on the water.

The now 21-year-old was an avid sailor, windsurfer, rugby player, lifeguard and pharmacy student at Trinity College when, while holidaying with friends in Portugal, his life changed utterly after diving into a wave and breaking his neck.

Jack is now paralysed from the neck down, with limited arm movement, and will need 24-hour care for the rest of his life. However, his remarkable attitude and progress is defying his doctors, and he believes one day there will be a cure for his condition.

Incredibly, Jack has also managed to go back to Trinity to finish his pharmacy degree, albeit over an extended period. But it’s not easy – he needs special assistance around the clock and a full-time carer.

He needs to travel to Cambridge every week for special bionic suit physiotherapy help him stand upright for a few minutes (you may have seen him on RTÉ News in recent weeks).

Significant funds are needed to maintain Jack’s 24-hour care and treatment to enhance his mobility. And that's where the Sail for Jack race comes in.

For just €5 per crew member (register online at www.rsgyc.ie) you can take part in the Sail for Jack charity pursuit from 6.30pm this Friday at the Royal St George in Dun Laoghaire Harbour, close to the harbour mouth.

The race will be followed by a BBQ with a DJ and prize giveaways at the clubhouse at 8pm so bring along your friends and family even if you aren’t sailing.

If you are not free to sail but would like to make a donation, you can contribute at www.mycharity.ie/events/sailforjack