Geoff Holt, the disabled sailor who was crowned sailor of the year for his epic voyage across the Atlantic last year, has been chosen for the 40c, 50c, and $1.50 BVI stamps. They will mark his 3,000 mile adventure in yet another way, in addition to the other honors he has received.
Holt said that it is a great honour, and added, ‘It all came about from when I was there last January. I met the postmaster general at a meeting and I jokingly said it would be nice to commemorate the trip and charity Sailability. I didn’t think any more about it and then a few weeks ago I got sent these proofs. After that they got the Royal assent and agreed to take us back out there. It’s all been very exciting. Who ever thinks they are going to be on a stamp? It’s very kind of them.’
Holt, his wife Elaine, and son Timmy, were flown to BVI for the launch of the stamp. The ceremony was attended by some of the youngsters from BVI Sailability, a charity that provides access to sailing for everyone.
Mr Holt said: ‘The launch was actually on my birthday and the sixth birthday of Sailability, which was completely coincidental, but it was lovely. The premiere and governor were all there and everyone sang me Happy Birthday.’
Learn more about Salability, a ‘not for profit’, volunteer-based organisation which, through the activity of sailing, enriches the lives of people with any type of disability, the elderly, the financially and socially disadvantaged, on their web site.
(resource and photo from Portsmouth.co.uk)
