Local sailor receives prestigious award from HRH Princess Royal

Graham receives his award from HRH the Princess Royal

Local sailor Graham Knox from Rochdale, was presented with one of the RYA’s (Royal Yachting Association) most prestigious honours, an RYA Award, yesterday (Thursday 18 November), by HRH the Princess Royal, President of the RYA at the organisation’s annual awards ceremony held at London’s One Great George Street.

Graham was one of only three people nationwide to be selected this year for an RYA Award. At the same ceremony 39 RYA Community Awards, and a pair of other awards, were presented to winners from all over the UK.

Graham was selected for the Award for his work on behalf of sailing in the North West Region and nationally.

As an ambassador for the RYA in the North West and further afield, Graham always looks to present the RYA as a positive influence in our sport. Graham’s contribution to sailing, and to the RYA, has taken many forms over a long time. For the last nine years he has been Honorary Secretary of the RYA North West Executive and during this time has achieved a complete reorganisation of the office. This was well overdue and as a result members of the Executive are better informed and the whole organisation runs more efficiently.

In addition to this work, Graham has also handled many national and regional Government consultations which come to the committee and require considerable time, effort and patience.

Graham has also played a major part in the running of the GP14 sailing dinghy class nationally for many years, including terms of office as President, Secretary and Treasurer and took leading roles in the running of his club, Hollingworth Lake Sailing Club. His services to the RYA and the sport will be greatly missed when he retires this year.

Sarah Treseder, RYA Chief Executive said: “The RYA is delighted to make this award in recognition of Graham’s enthusiasm, promotion of our sport and many years’ contribution to the region’s sailing scene. The 44 RYA winners are an inspiration to us all and it is my pleasure to recognise and celebrate their hard work and dedication.”

Graham and the other RYA Award winners enjoyed a celebratory lunch in the presence of HRH the Princess Royal, and were presented with a commemorative medallion and certificate.