RYA Sailability's unsung heroes from Torquay receive award at national conference 

David and Shirley Musgrove have been recognised for their amazing efforts to provide sailing for those with disabilities

A Torquay couple have been given national recognition for their work in making sailing accessible and affordable for people with disabilities.

David and Shirley Musgrove, from the Disabled Sailing Association (DSA) - based in Torbay’s town dock - received the Sailability Outstanding Contribution Award at the RYA Sailability Conference at Wyboston Lakes, Bedfordshire on 1 February.

David, DSA Chairman, is totally blind and has worked tirelessly for the last ten years to make sailing accessible and affordable for people with any kind of disability. Shirley, who is partially sighted herself, is the membership and fundraising secretary, and works selflessly in the background to support David at every step of the way. David was unable to attend the event as he is training with a new guide dog, but, in front of 120 delegates from RYA Sailability groups, clubs and organisations across the UK, Shirley was presented with the award by RYA CEO Sarah Treseder.

Shirley said: “It was a lovely surprise, and great to go up and meet everybody. I do the job because I love it, especially when we get feedback about how much people with disabilities, including wheelchair users, have enjoyed the facilities we provide. It’s all about giving people their freedom, getting them out of their four walls. We have 96 individual members, and a dozen groups including care homes, and we can only run the organisation because of the generosity of our 50 volunteer skippers and crew.”

The DSA’s boat is moored in the town dock, where it will be joined by a second one next month – the DSA won a People’s Millions grant last year to buy it, and the new boat is currently being adapted before delivery.

Debbie Blachford, RYA Sailability Manager said: “It’s a pleasure to present these well-deserved awards.  We also want to recognise and thank every single volunteer who donates their time to RYA Sailability as they are all responsible for getting even more people of all abilities out on the water”.

For more information about RYA Sailability visit www.rya.org.uk/sailability. Find out more about the DSA at www.disabledsailingassociation.org.uk.