Donations and Support

to change young people's lives.

Excelsior Trust Announces Bursaries for Young Trainees

The Excelsior Trust, the award-winning sail training charity based in Lowestoft, is proud to launch a new travel bursary to support young people in joining its sail training programmes across Europe during the 2025 season.


This exciting initiative, named The John Miller Bursary, aims to help young trainees cover travel costs, ensuring that financial barriers don’t prevent them from accessing the life-changing opportunities offered aboard Excelsior.


We appreciate the contribution of the friends and family of Philip Reader  who was keen to support young sailors develop the enthusiasm and passion he had for competitive sailing. 


An Award-Winning Charity Making Waves

In 2024, the Excelsior Trust made history by becoming the first UK sail training charity to win the Sultan Qaboos Sailing Trophy, the most prestigious award in international sail training. This accolade underscores the Trust’s dedication to empowering young people through maritime experiences.


Sailing the 2025 Tall Ships Races

During the 2025 season, Excelsior will once again take part in the International Tall Ships Races, visiting ports including:

  • Le Havre, France
  • Dunkirk, France
  • Aberdeen, Scotland
  • Kristiansand, Norway
  • Esbjerg, Denmark

This bursary ensures that as many young people as possible can join these exciting voyages, gaining invaluable life skills and unforgettable experiences.


Honouring John Miller’s Legacy

The bursary is named in memory of John Miller, who dedicated his life to coaching young people in sports. The fund was established with an initial donation from his family, reflecting his passion for supporting young talent.

A spokesperson for the Trust said:

"Last year, we realised that travel costs occasionally prohibited young people from joining our sailing programme. Thanks to the generosity of John Miller’s family, we can now offer this bursary and ensure more young people can benefit from these transformative experiences. We welcome further donations to grow the fund and reach even more participants."

Philip Reader - Youth Sailing Fund

Philip started his sailing days with his brother Alan in dinghies at Hollingworth sailing club. He and his brother made a great team and successfully competed in the Firefly National Championships. After gaining a state scholarship he went on to sail for Cambridge University.
Later married and working in Leicester he continued to sail National 12's at Pitsford reservoir and built a mirror dinghy at home for his children.
He has always had a passion for sailing and would love to think that part of his legacy was to encourage other youngsters to have that chance.


Support a Young Trainee

The Excelsior Trust invites donations to the bursary fund, including sponsorships for individual young trainees to join legs of the Tall Ships Races or other voyages planned for the season.


Get Involved

To learn more about the bursary or to make a donation, contact us at:
📧 sailing@excelsiortrust.co.uk
📞 07821 281950

For further details, visit our website:
🌐 www.theexcelsiortrust.co.uk

Together, let’s ensure that every young person has the chance to set sail on an adventure of a lifetime.


Donations & Sponsorships

Your help is needed and appreciated. Every year we are fortunate to receive grants and financial assistance from many sources. If you would like to donate, become a friend of the trust, sponsor specific places or support the John Miller Travel Bursary or the Philip Reader Fund for sailing trips, please do so here and send us a note so we can send you a receipt and apply for gift aid where appropriate. Many thanks - The Trustees


SHOULD YOU WISH TO DONATE DIRECTLY VIA BACS, OUR ACCOUNT DETAILS ARE AS FOLLOWS :


HSBC Bank

Sort Code: 40-30-28

Account Number: 91070924

IBAN:   GB63HBUK40302891070924

BIC: HBUKGB4BXXX


To include Gift Aid please include your name and address in the form below.


Thank you.