Helping Arran’s Young Sailors Stay Safe on the Water – The Betty and Roy Ure Memorial Fund

The club offers after-school and weekend sessions accredited by the Royal Yachting Association, ensuring every Primary 7 pupil and above has access to sailing each season. Around 20 young people take part annually, developing confidence, physical fitness, and teamwork through hands-on learning on the water. 

In 2023, AJSC identified that two of its Laser Bahia dinghies and a 24-year-old safety boat were nearing the end of their usable lives. The club launched a multi-phase fleet renewal project to safeguard the continuation of its activities and maintain safe operating standards. 

In June 2024, AJSC was awarded £4,475 from the Betty & Roy Ure Memorial Fund to contribute towards the replacement of two Laser Bahia dinghies. Shortly after the award was made, the Arran Outdoor Education Centre generously donated two Bahia dinghies to AJSC. It was agreed that the original grant could be redirected to fund the purchase of protective equipment for the donated boats and a road trailer to complete a separately funded safety boat upgrade.

Twenty young people completed sailing sessions over the 2024 season, with participants reporting improved mental wellbeing, improved physical health, and showing increased self-esteem and confidence. Refurbished Bahias with new sails and covers extended the boats’ useful life by an estimated 10 years. The addition of the trailer ensures the new safety RIB remains deployable for the next 10–15 years.

The club also reintroduced dinghy racing for the first time in over 12 years, with seven boats participating, and launched adult taster sessions using the upgraded boats - extending reach beyond the school-age population. The club were thrilled:

We were delighted to receive such generous support… This funding has allowed us to continue to provide young people with the opportunity to gain sailing experience, forge new friendships, and enjoy time on the water.

The Betty and Roy Ure Memorial Fund continues to make a meaningful difference across Arran, supporting local community projects with around £20,000 in grants each year. Originally established quietly as The Abington Trust, the donor wished to keep their generosity private during their lifetime. It was only after Betty’s passing that her philanthropy was revealed, and the fund renamed The Betty and Roy Ure Memorial Fund - a tribute to both her and her late husband, in line with her wishes. 

Originally set up with a gift of £476,257, the fund now sits within one of Foundation Scotland's invested portfolios, and has grown to just over £1 million, providing a permanent source of support for the island of Arran, now and for generations to come.

You can read more about the story behind this thoughtful gift here.