Team GB Sailor Micky Beckett to Auction Olympic Dinghy for Charity
Sailor Micky Beckett, a Team GB athlete who competed at Paris 2024, has made a generous decision to raffle off the £8,700 laser dinghy he raced in at the Marseille Games. Tickets for this unique opportunity are available for just £10, with all proceeds going to the Andrew Simpson Foundation, aiming to provide young people with the chance to explore the world of sailing.
Weighing about 60kg and stretching over 13ft long, the vessel holds sentimental value from Beckett’s Olympic journey. “I wanted to remove all obstacles to people buying it,” Beckett expressed. He plans to hand-deliver the boat to the lucky winner, adding, “The people I really want to get excited about this are the people on the very fringes of sailing, people who don’t know much about it and think it looks a bit confusing.”
Beckett emphasises the simplicity and excitement of the opportunity, stating, “This is a chance to get a fantastic, brand-new boat for 10 quid, all you need to do is buy a ticket and it could turn up at your door.” The ILCA 7 boat, generously donated by Ovington Boats, remains untouched since Paris 2024 and boasts the iconic Olympic rings.
The raffle is further supported by Tideway Wealth and Retirement. Beckett highlights the versatility of the dinghy, mentioning, “You could learn to sail in it, if you’ve never sailed before, it’s a fantastic boat for beginners and it’s the most widely sailed boat in the entire world.” He encourages both novice and experienced sailors to engage with the raffle, whether for personal use or to contribute to a local sailing club.
The Andrew Simpson Foundation, dedicated to honouring the late Olympic gold medallist ‘Bart,’ will benefit from the raffle proceeds. Beckett shares his passion for the Foundation’s mission, stating, “Sailing offers an incredible number of jobs to all sorts of people, but it is also a bit confusing until you take that jump and get involved.”
Beckett reflects on his own fortunate upbringing in the sailing community and emphasizes the Foundation’s role in providing opportunities to individuals from various backgrounds. He concludes, “It’s a fantastic sport for disaffected people because you don’t need to be six foot or a certain weight, all it requires you to do is be willing to learn, willing to go on a bit of an adventure and get wet and maybe get gold and go out on the sea, but you will learn so much and its great fun.”
For those interested in contributing to this charitable cause and owning a piece of Olympic history, tickets can be purchased at https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/raffle/asf-raffle-mickybeckett-ilca-7-boat-and-sail.