The charity Help for Heroes has joined forces with the National Maritime Museum Cornwall to work on a new boat building project.

The project is set to open up gig rowing to new audiences. 

Funded by the Armed Forces Community Covenant Grant scheme, the Great Big Cornish Gig Project will help wounded, injured and sick, serving and veteran forces personnel train in boatbuilding skills and build a gig.

The project will also see participants rowing their gig to the Scillies for the 2016 World Pilot Gig Championships.

Mike Selwood and Andy Wyke from National Maritime Museum Cornwall are the men behind the project, which has taken months to plan, fund and development.

Royal Marine Al Henderson was the inspiration behind the project, and he had previously undertaken a rehabilitation boat building course through Hasler Company and Falmouth Marine School.

Speaking about the developments, Mike Selwood, Project Manager behind the build said: "If, at the end of the project in May 2016, we have opened up new opportunities to wounded military personnel, inspired a new audience to the heritage behind these Cornish boats and built a gig that is not an obstacle to those who want to row it, we will have achieved everything we aimed for.”

It was also revealed that a NVQ modular programme delivered by Falmouth Marine School supports the project.

In addition, it offers the opportunity for participants to complete an NVQ level 3.

Jock Easton, General Manager at Help for Heroes, Plymouth says: “We’re delighted to be part of this. To offer a recovery pathway to our personnel through this unique opportunity and to be part of something that can influence the gig rowing scene is quite exceptional. 

"Some of the team taking part have just returned from competing in the World Pilot Gig Championship on the Isles of Scilly. It’s brilliant for them to have the chance to build a gig they may race in the future."ADNFCR-2867-ID-801788958-ADNFCR

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