Plain sailing: Arco gives £10,000 to CatZero for yacht maintenance

ON BOARD: From left, Pete Tighe, Operations and Partnership Manager at CatZero, with Louise Brown, Tracey Stephens, and Debra Cowell from Arco's Community Panel on CatZero’s yacht

By Simon Bristow

Arco has awarded £10,000 to Hull-based sailing charity CatZero.

The donation will be used to help with the maintenance costs of the charity’s yacht, which is used to deliver a range of training courses and gives people the chance to sail on a 72-foot challenge yacht for eight days.

CatZero creates unique employability programmes for young people, families, single parents, and adults to help them move into employment, education, or training.

Arco’s Community Panel donated the funds as part of its long-standing relationship with CatZero; the business has previously bought and sponsored the sail onboard the yacht, and allocates £5,000 a year for the charity to spend on products with Arco.

CatZero has historically supported Arco with teambuilding sessions for staff from its learning and development and senior management teams.

Anna Harvatt, Community Engagement Manager at Arco, said: “Arco has a long-standing relationship with CatZero and is proud to be continuing this partnership.

“In addition to the funds for yacht maintenance and new equipment for 2022/2023, we’re working closely with CatZero on their latest employability programme that gives participants the skills to enter the world of work, as well as showcase some of the exciting careers available at Arco.

“Working with charities like CatZero also provides opportunities for our colleagues to volunteer their time and expertise to support others. Showing participants the world of work, can provide the spark they need to get back into employment, education, or training.”

Sailing on CatZero’s yacht is fundamental to delivering programmes to those in need of support across the region, and at least 120 people benefit from the programmes each year. The charity delivers activities that address mental health awareness, health and wellbeing, employability, and help build new skills.

Arco’s recent donation will enable the replacement of a much-needed on-board generator, allowing many people from deprived communities to continue to benefit from life changing experiences for the foreseeable future.

Pete Tighe, Operations and Partnership Manager at CatZero, said: “CatZero is proud and thankful to be supported by Arco. The support that it gives will help with the sustainability of the charity. Moreover, the passion of its staff shines through and will benefit the participants in the joint working that we are planning to undertake.”

Arco is committed to inspiring young people to achieve their full potential and to enhance local life, making communities it serves better places to live, work and invest. It does this through charity and community support, donating one per cent of its pre-tax profits each year.