Will Mackaness Trust

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Will Mackaness Trust The trust was set up in memory of sportsman Will Mackaness after losing his battle with cancer in 2008. The trust now has charitable status (2011).

For Donations, please visit out Paypal Charity Page. https://www.paypal.com/gb/fundraiser/charity/3210676 “The aim of The Will Mackaness Trust is to give as many young people the opportunity to experience the thrill of water activities and give financial support to those who have shown a particular skill in water activities to enable them to progress further.”

The trust was set up by Clive Burgess and Phil Thomas following the untimely death of the former Head Boy (2007-2008) of The Wey Valley School and Sports College, Will Mackaness. Will was an avid sportsman who, however, took a full and active part in all aspects of school life, despite undergoing intensive treatment for the most aggressive form of brain tumour. One of Will’s passions was water sports especially windsurfing. It is for this reason that the trust has been set up to help give more water sport opportunities to our pupils, so they can experience the fun and exhilaration of windsurfing, sailing, canoeing and kayaking for themselves. Water sports are such an expensive but immensely enjoyable activity and the trust aims to help support pupils who want to take it up or wish to progress further. The Trust has:

Enabled pupils to learn to windsurf, sail, kayak and surf

Given pupils the chance to develop windsurfing and racing skills. Sponsored pupils to go on Tall Ships Challenge trips. Contributed to pupils taking part in this year’s expedition to Alaska through the Dorset Expedition Society. Sponsored Tom Mules in his quest to become a world class biathlete. The Trust can only function through the support and hard work of friends of the Wey Valley School and Sports College through their generous donations and inspirational fund raising activities. Indeed, three of the original pupils who learnt to windsurf through the Trust undertook to windsurf from Portland over to Overcombe Corner, raising over £1000

The Trust was the chosen charity for DEK in 2009 who donated over £ 3000 through the generosity of their employees and the efforts of 2 of their employees in particular who took part in a sponsored triathothlon cycling, walking and kayaking from North Devon to Overcombe Corner. Also 2 former pupils completed a walk, run and kayak from Lulworth to the Pavilion and back to Overcombe Corner, another former pupil undertook the Ironman challenge to raise money for the
Trust. The Trust is applying for Charitable status and we are lucky to have Nick Dempsey ( world and Olympic windsurfer) as one of the trustees. You can donate by going to our Paypal Charity ..

Chase the Pudding is back for 2026 🤶🏼
19/10/2026

Chase the Pudding is back for 2026 🤶🏼

Chase the Pudding - Dash, Laugh, and Make a Difference! This December, swap the sofa for sand and join the most festive 5km fundraising fun run of the year – Chase the Pudding on Weymouth Beach! Imagine this: the crisp winter air, the sea...

We are so pleased to announce that this week we welcomed the latest groups of youngsters from all four local secondary s...
08/10/2026

We are so pleased to announce that this week we welcomed the latest groups of youngsters from all four local secondary schools having swimming lessons at the Weymouth and Osprey pools and that all the spaces have now been filled!

We hope that with their new found confidence they will go on to take advantage of the Watersports opportunities in the area as have the pupils from Wey Valley who witnessed a most beautiful sunset while they were sailing on Tuesday 🌄

A very successful day for the youngsters from  Wey Valley Academy, Bincombe and Conifers  taking part in the Well-being ...
16/09/2026

A very successful day for the youngsters from Wey Valley Academy, Bincombe and Conifers taking part in the Well-being Windsurfing Course run by the The Official Test Centre (OTC) and funded by the trust thanks to the generous donation from The Will Houghton Foundation ☀️💙🌊

Another glorious evening for the first session of this term’s sailing for the WVA☀️
15/09/2026

Another glorious evening for the first session of this term’s sailing for the WVA☀️

It was great to be part of yesterday’s Welcoming Parade  and Opening Ceremony for this year’s IQ Foils  World Championsh...
06/09/2026

It was great to be part of yesterday’s Welcoming Parade and Opening Ceremony for this year’s IQ Foils World Championship which is taking place this week on the wonderful Weymouth and Portland waters.

Youngsters who have been taken part in the various ‘Elevate ‘courses run by the OTC and Andrew Simpson Sailing Centres did a fantastic job carrying the 41 participating countries ‘ flags and were made to feel very special by their country’s athletes.

We wish all the participants a wonderful time during what promises to be a truly spectacular week .

A very well done to Bella and Cassie Year 11 students from the Wey Valley Academy who trained from 5k to last Thursday’s...
20/06/2026

A very well done to Bella and Cassie Year 11 students from the Wey Valley Academy who trained from 5k to last Thursday’s marathon as a personal challenge and to raise funds for the WMT . They smashed it in under 7 hours . A wonderful achievement.

Thanks to Cassie and Bella for raising funds and awareness of the WMT they attempt a marathon this Thursday !
14/06/2026

Thanks to Cassie and Bella for raising funds and awareness of the WMT they attempt a marathon this Thursday !

Thank you for everyone who helped us to achieve this by adding their blue tokens in Tesco It is greatly appreciated! 💙
13/06/2026

Thank you for everyone who helped us to achieve this by adding their blue tokens in Tesco
It is greatly appreciated! 💙

Please get involved if you can 💙
27/05/2026

Please get involved if you can 💙

The place where you can give back to the sport and become a much needed volunteer. Volunteers will receive food and drink throughout the day plus we usually finish back at a pub for a thank you meal at the end of each race - you get any spare...

What a fantastic thing to do  💙
21/05/2026

What a fantastic thing to do 💙

Hello, Bella and Cassie here! We are two Year 11 students currently taking our GCSEs at… Bella Laird needs your support for Bella and Cassie’s Marathon

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Weymouth
DT35AN

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