An inspirational children’s charity which has taught thousands of Cornish youngsters to sail in the safety of the Helford River will be adding seven new boats to its fleet thanks to more than £30,000 of funding support from the Duchy Health Charity, Trinity House and five Cornish businesses.

The Helford River Children’s Sailing Trust, with its scores of dedicated volunteers, gives young people, including many with disabilities and special needs, the chance to get out on the water and work together, gaining skills and confidence while having huge amounts of fun in the process.

Two new Whaly 435 safety boats, costing £12,000 apiece, have been funded by Trinity House and the Duchy Health Charity, which supports projects and organisations promoting the health and wellbeing of the people of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Meanwhile the trust’s dedication to young people has won ongoing support from the nearby Budock Vean country house hotel, whose owner Martin Barlow is also a volunteer and trustee, Digs Property, Watson Marlow, Cornish Holiday Cottages and Steve Harman from Gunwalloe, who have each donated £1,500 towards five Pico sailing dinghies.

Joint chairman of the HRCST, Richard Nathan, said: “We are constantly overwhelmed by the good-will and generosity of the organisations and individuals who support the trust’s work with young people. In our 20 years we have taken more than 5,000 children out on the river in sailing boats, kayaks and rowing boats and it’s a real privilege to see them working in teams and growing in confidence, as well as keeping fit and healthy and having good old-fashioned fun.”

This is the Duchy Health Charity’s third substantial grant to the HRCST. “The trust is one of the best examples we know of an organisation which makes a real difference to the lives of young people,” said DHC’s Sally-Jane Coode. “It is brilliantly run with an impressive pool of dedicated, trained volunteers who give youngsters a unique opportunity to participate in a healthy, life-transforming experience – that’s why we have been delighted to offer help and support for the fantastic work they do.”

The trust’s 150 volunteers now operate a combined fleet of around 80 craft and the seven new boats arriving on April 6 will replace other vessels which have seen many years of service.

The seven boats will be named by their seven sponsors at 2pm on Helford Passage beach, opposite the Ferry Boat Inn, with children, volunteers and trustees joined by representatives of all the supporting organisations including Simon Sherrard, Elder of Trinity House, who will be arriving in full regalia complete with his sword.