Here’s a little information about the current team behind Save Tall Ship Tenacious:
Annie O’Brien
Watch Leader and lover of sailing on the only ocean going sailing ship accessible to me as a wheelchair user. Previously worked in education before medical retirement.
Responsible for: coordination and communication of the group and wider enquiries, meetings, sample letters and written communication, media with support from Jo Siedlecka.
Georgina Blair
I made my first voyage on Lord Nelson in 2000, and since then have sailed over 12,000 miles on the two ships, most recently as part of the crew bringing Tenacious home from her round the world trip in 2018. Coming out on deck for night watch in the middle of the Atlantic and seeing the stars above the swaying masts is something you cannot experience anywhere else. On land I’m a qualified risk professional and currently work for a higher education institution.
Responsible for: creation and maintaining MP response map, collation of contacts and interest.
Graham Strudwick
I first sailed on Tenacious in 2001 and was hooked from the very start. Working the ship with a mixed ability team to sail during your watch and then have time to learn about other peoples lives and how they face the challenges in their lives is very humbling and empowering at the same time. I’ve made many friends during the 20+ years sailing on the tall ships and their dedication, humour, laughter and friendship is something I cherish.
Responsible for: communication support, letters to Yacht clubs and researching charities.
Jane Rice
Having previously worked in marketing and project management, I am currently taking time out to volunteer and travel. My first voyage was with my dad, a wheelchair user, on the Spinal Injuries Ireland charter of Lord Nelson in 2019. I now sail as a BM and watchleader, as well as being a regular maintenance volunteer.
Responsible for: Instagram creation, development and maintenance.
Janette Thursby Scott
Having previously worked as trust fundraiser in Scotland for RNIB and Guide Dogs, as well as working for other Blind charities, since lockdown I have taken on more volunteer roles within RNIB. I currently run a Social blind group and a Book Group for the blind in the Forth Valley area via the telephone for the charity. I’m blind with my fifth guide dog, a German Shepherd Cross Retriever.
My first trip on Tenacious was taken in May 2000 from Glasgow to Edinburgh. I fell in love with the ship and the independence it gave me. I also took part in Tenacious’s first Trans Atlantic Crossing in November 2002 taking a month off work to undertake a trip of a lifetime. I’m a trained watch leader having completed my training on board Lord Nelson.
Responsible for: advice and support to ensure all communication across all platforms is accessible.
Jo Barber
I’m a wheelchair using social media manager with 3 Tenacious trips under my belt. I worked for Cancer Research UK and Oxford University’s Said Business School before deciding I’d rather work for myself and I now also work for Zebra Access C.I.O.
Responsible for: Facebook creation, development and maintenance.
Laura Badley
I first sailed on Tenacious under the Youth Leadership at Sea scheme in 2002 and have since sailed for many years as a Bosun’s Mate. I’ve also taken part in maintenance and represented the Jubilee Sailing Trust at Sail Training International conferences. I’ve been a director in the NHS and am currently a Chief Operating Officer in the charity sector.
Responsible for: researching the options for formalising the group.
Mike Thomas
I’m retired. I worked for 27 years for B.B.C. Television, mainly as a video editor and the last 5 years as a Post Production Operations Manager. I lived on a motor barge on the Thames for 30 years and was heavily involved in establishing Chiswick Pier. My wife and I moved to Devon and got heavily involved in setting up a co-operative to buy and re-open our ancient village pub. I learnt to sail dinghies as a teenager, and the ships have got bigger as I’ve grown older. I’ve sailed over 28,000 miles with JST as voyage crew, watchleader and bosun’s mate.
Responsible for: website creation, development and maintenance. Maintaining membership list and publishing links to summaries and newsletters.
Phil Allen
My Grandfather was a racing yacht Captain in the 20’s & 30’s and my Dad was a Petty Officer in the Royal Navy during the war so I grew up with a love of sailing and the sea. However my career was in Marketing and Business Development for an Automotive Component Supplier so my opportunity to sail was limited until into my 60’s when I retired from full time employment. First sailed on Tenacious in 2009 and the experience was life changing in understanding how people live with disability and the effort to lead a normal life. Have done 16 voyages as Voyage Crew, Buddy and Watch Leader. The Tenacious community and the life-time friendships have become an important part of my life.
Responsible for: support with business plan and collation of media contacts/interest.