Helen Holden & David Wilkie

The OCC Award recognises contributions to ocean sailing and the Ocean Cruising Club itself and is given to Helen Holden and David Wilkie. Founders and successful administrators of the OCC Charitable Trust which provides support primarily to individuals and organisations involved in sail training and education.

Helen & David are both long standing OCC members and have retired as Trustees having each served two full terms. Helen served as a diligent Secretary to the Trust and David as its Treasurer. Nobody should underestimate the work involved in founding and administering this charity which distributes funds to sailing good causes throughout the world. Raising money is definitely hard work and sometimes giving it away is not easy! They have overcome many hurdles and now the OCC Charitable Trust has its future assured as the charity supporting the OCC Youth Sponsorship Programme. Many have benefitted from David and Helen’s work with grants going to youth sailing good causes in the Caribbean, South Pacific, inner city London and Argyll, Scotland. The Ocean Cruising Club itself has also benefitted by association with the Trust’s altruistic endeavours.