#SupportSailStudents - An initiative which will see young students from the Isle of Man embark on a potentially life-changing adventure on board a tallship begins this month. 

The initiative is once again been supported by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company with the cost of travel to and from Liverpool for the 40 students and eight adults who will accompany them.

Manx charity The Children’s Centre is coordinating a trip which will see 40 youngsters help crew Stavros S Niarchos, a 60 metre-long square-rigged brig ship. The week-long experience, which begins in Liverpool, is run by The Tall Ship Youth Trust. The Trust works to improve the self-esteem and confidence of young people aged 12 to 25 and encourages more active lifestyles, values similar to the aims of The Children’s Centre.

During the trip the Year 9 students from secondary schools across the Isle of Man will learn valuable life and citizenship skill, as well as enjoying the experience of sailing on a spectacular tall ship, travelling wherever the wind takes them.

Adventure Events Fundraising Coordinator at The Children’s Centre Mark Eastham said: ‘At The Children’s Centre we appreciate and understand the immense value of off-Island trips such as the Tall Ship Voyage, and have seen the life-changing impact such experiences can have on young people.

‘Although the challenge is very demanding, it teaches the children the importance of team-building and self-confidence and is a fantastic way for these students to develop skills in a practical and exciting way.

‘The Steam Packet Company has been an active supporter of The Children’s Centre for many years, and we are very grateful it has agreed to assist with the travel costs for this trip once again. It is important such experiences are affordable, which makes this support so valuable in giving as many young people as possible access to opportunities like the Tall Ship Voyage.’

The company's Chief Executive Mark Woodward said: ‘It is always a pleasure to help organisations like The Children’s Centre when we can, as they do such important work in the Isle of Man.

Woodward added ‘It is particularly fitting as a shipping company with a long and proud history that the Steam Packet Company is able to support these students as they experience life on a tall ship, and learn the value of teamwork and self-confidence that such a voyage will teach them.’