THE DISCOVERY SAILING PROJECT
The Discovery Sailing Project is a Scout based organisation, headquartered on the River Hamble. We provide Offshore Sail Training in 3 coded yachts to young people and those with visual or audio impairment, either as individuals or in groups. The Project provides a progression through its Watch Leader training scheme, encouraging young people to develop further towards skipper
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net loss of £114,802 for the year ended 31 October 2025, driven by unexpected refit costs for the yacht Thermopylae. Per the trustees' report, cash levels decreased significantly from £135,872 to £63,790, and the charity relies on a £50,000 short-term loan from the Dockland Scout Project to maintain operations.
What the accounts disclose
“We would like to thank the Dockland Scout Project for the provision a short-term loan of £50,000 which has enabled us to continue operations with a safe cash buffer.” — page 4
Trustees
- Benjamin Pearcy
- MICHAEL Stephen HUDSON
- MR MIKE NADIN MBE MRIN
- Marc Gadsby
- Nicholas Sherwood Nell
- Peter William David Gloor
- Richard James Hart
- Simon Stevens
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/10/2025 | £135k | £250k |
| 31/10/2024 | £193k | £147k |
| 31/10/2023 | £142k | £123k |
| 31/10/2022 | £117k | £118k |
| 31/10/2021 | £78k | £88k |
Common questions
Is THE DISCOVERY SAILING PROJECT financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net loss of £114,802 for the year ended 31 October 2025, driven by unexpected refit costs for the yacht Thermopylae. Per the trustees' report, cash levels decreased significantly from £135,872 to £63,790, and the charity relies on a £50,000 short-term loan from the Dockland Scout Project to maintain operations. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds THE DISCOVERY SAILING PROJECT?
Funders whose own accounts filings name THE DISCOVERY SAILING PROJECT as a grant recipient include THE ASSOCIATION OF SAIL TRAINING ORGANISATIONS, THE GIRDLERS' COMPANY CHARITABLE TRUST, THE HOBSON CHARITY LIMITED, THE GOSLING FOUNDATION LIMITED.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE ASSOCIATION OF SAIL TRAINING ORGANISATIONS | FY2022 | £20k | Lifeboat grants |
| THE GIRDLERS' COMPANY CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2025 | £10k | |
| THE GIRDLERS' COMPANY CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £10k | |
| THE ASSOCIATION OF SAIL TRAINING ORGANISATIONS | FY2022 | £5k | Hammond Innes Bursaries |
| THE HOBSON CHARITY LIMITED | FY2023 | £5k | Youth |
| THE GOSLING FOUNDATION LIMITED | FY2023 | £5k | Youth |
| THE ASSOCIATION OF SAIL TRAINING ORGANISATIONS | FY2025 | £4k | Hammond Innes Bursaries |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| CHAPMAN CHARITABLE TRUST | 3 | £10k |
| GRANGE FARM CENTRE | 1 | — |
| The Barnes Fund | 1 | £336k |
| THE LONDON MARATHON CHARITABLE TRUST LIMITED | 1 | £41k |
| CHK Foundation | 1 | £35k |
| INFRASTRUCTURE INDUSTRY FOUNDATION | 1 | £32k |
| THE SHIPWRIGHTS CHARITABLE FUND | 1 | £32k |
| FAIRY WATER TRUST | 1 | £30k |
Charities like this
- RIVER THAMES BOAT PROJECT
- THE CIRDAN SAILING TRUST (INCORPORATING THE FARAMIR TRUST) LIMITED
- CHILDREN'S DISCOVERY CENTRE EAST LONDON
- SEAVIEW SAILING TRUST
- THE AHOY CENTRE
- ADVENTURES OFFSHORE
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE DISCOVERY SAILING PROJECT | £135k | — | 0 | unclear | — | noted |
| RIVER THAMES BOAT PROJECT | £207k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE CIRDAN SAILING TRUST (INCORPORATING THE FARAMIR TRUST) LIMITED | £719k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| CHILDREN'S DISCOVERY CENTRE EAST LONDON | £3.1m | £60,001 - £70,000 | 1 | below | — | no doubt |
| SEAVIEW SAILING TRUST | £276k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE AHOY CENTRE | £549k | £60,001 - £70,000 | 1 | unclear | — | no doubt |