We are delighted that Lucy has joined our BRIT Ambassador family.
Lucy is an award-winning world champion sailor, mentor and disability sports ambassador. She is one of the UK’s most successful disabled sailors and is a three time Blind Match Racing World Champion and three time World Blind Fleet Racing Champion.
“Having lived with a disability all my life and been involved with supporting children and students through Blind Sailing UK, I know that there has been a significant increase in the number of young adults facing mental health challenges. COVID-19 is compounding the existing mental health difficulties faced by so many young people and we need to do all we can to ensure they receive professional support and are encouraged to look after their health and fitness.
According to Mind, one in four young people were unable to access the mental health support they needed during the 2020 lockdown. Mental health services have become stretched during the lockdowns in 2020 and 2021, and charities have an important role in supporting young adult mental health. The British Inspiration Trust’s BRIT 2021 Challenge is an innovative and inspiring opportunity to improve the mental health and fitness of millions of students and young adults.
The BRIT 2021 Challenge is enabling and empowering students and young adults to unite wherever they are (at home or on campus) and take part in a fun and feel-good challenge to raise vital funds for charities who support young adult mental health. It is an inclusive challenge with many different ways to take part. Every UK university, college and students’ union have been invited to embrace the BRIT 2021 Challenge, enter teams and encourage their students and staff to participate.
I am delighted to be joining the BRIT Ambassador family and look forward to encouraging my fellow blind sports personalities to join me. By uniting as a BRIT Ambassador family, we can support young adult mental health in universities and colleges throughout the UK and enthuse more blind young adults and students to take part. I look forward to encouraging and supporting students in schools and colleges in Essex as they take on the BRIT 2021 Challenge”.
In 1997, Lucy was registered blind with Photophobia Nystagmus; a condition that she has had since birth.
Throughout her life, Lucy has used sport as her way of overcoming barriers that come with her disability. Before finding sailing, Lucy was an elite level swimmer and held two British Records.
Lucy found her true calling in sailing; building the passion that gave her freedom from day to day life and relying on a white cane. Sailing provided the opportunity to travel the world and compete at the highest levels.
Lucy is passionate about sing her experience and life story to inspire others. She is the commodore of Blind Sailing UK; a charity encouraging and providing sailing to the Blind across the country. Under her leadership, Blind Sailing UK has consistently produced a string of world champion sailors that continue to dominate the sport year after year.
Through Blind sailing UK, Lucy has also been highly inspirational; promoting and supporting sailing at a grass-roots level, working closely with yachting and sailing clubs and events throughout the UK.
In 2013, Lucy sailed Lake Windermere solo to help raise money for the British Blind sailing Team’s travel costs to compete in the World Championships in Japan.
In recognition of her contribution to blind sailing, Lucy was awarded an MBE in 2014. She has received numerous awards in recognition of her many achievements including RADA European Human Rights Award, Essex Sports Personality of the Year and was Rochford District Disabled Sorts Personality of the Year for five consecutive years.
Lucy uses her compelling life story to inspire and motivate others and provides support to schools and colleges in Essex to improve young adult mental health.
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