OTLEY Sailing Club is celebrating a £2,000 funding boost.

The Yorkshire Region of the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has made the donation to support the club's award-winning work with disabled sailors.

The proceeds from a raffle held at BESA's annual ball at the Majestic Hotel, in Harrogate, the money will help pay for the costs of the club's Sailfree programme.

The scheme, run under the national umbrella of Sailability, offers sailing opportunities to people with all kinds of disabilities and illnesses.

Otley Sailing Club Chairman Ian White said: "The support BESA has given to the club has benefitted numerous individuals and schools, and means that we can offer a sailing experience to many handicapped people.

"This £2,000 will cover the majority of our running costs and upkeep of the boats for the year.

"Sailfree can’t survive without donations, and to have the continued support from the BESA Yorkshire Region is fantastic."

Commercial Director of Mansfield Pollard, Paul Dresser - who presented the donation - added: "The BESA Yorkshire Region and the many companies supporting the annual event were delighted to be able to assist in the valuable work undertaken by Sailfree.

"It was a pleasure to hand over the cheque and to witness at first-hand the truly outstanding work that the club provides to the wider community."

The club offers about 1,000 volunteer-run Sailability sessions each year from its base by Weston Water.