Twenty years after the launch of the original appeal for funds to purchase and preserve Arthur Ransome’s boat Nancy Blackett, the Nancy Blackett Trust has opened a new appeal designed to secure the future of the historic vessel.

The Trust needs to raise additional funds to cover a larger-than-usual repair bill following a recent survey, and to create a substantial reserve for similar large but infrequent repairs in the future.

Peter Willis, President of the Nancy Blackett Trust, said “The Trust has periodic surveys to identify those problems that routine maintenance can’t pick up, and then gets them fixed.

“Nancy Blackett has just had her five-yearly survey, and while it finds her in “largely good and sound condition”, there is a very long list of generally small items requiring to be put right.

“As with the appeal for the Trust’s 10th anniversary, we are once again are appealing to supporters – our ever-generous members and others – to help to create this reserve fund.”

The Nancy Blackett Trust 20th Anniversary Appeal was launched on 19th March. The original appeal for funds to buy Nancy Blackett was launched in the spring of 1996. This year also sees the 85th birthday of Nancy Blackett, launched in 1931.

If you would like to contribute to the Appeal, please see our Appeal Page for further details.