THE company behind the Olympic Village on Portland has given a £5,000 boost to a charity that enables children to sail for £5.

Kim Slowe, managing director at ZeroC, said he was proud to support The Chesil Trust, which has enabled thousands of Dorset school children to experience a taste of the sport for a fiver.

Mr Slowe attended a Sailing taster session at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy this month to make the generous donation.

The Chesil Trust exists to enable young or disabled people to experience and enjoy the thrills of sailing.

In 2004 the trust started a scheme called ‘Sail for a Fiver’ which enables schools in Dorset and neighbouring counties to bring classes of children aged 10 to 11 on half day training courses at the venue for just £5 per child.

To date, the scheme has made it possible for about 7,500 children to go sailing for the first time and has also assisted seven talented young sailors from Dorset, who between them have won a number of major competitions. Much of the activity funded by The Chesil Trust takes place at the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic sailing venue and this legacy programme is a key element to the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy’s community involvement.

Mr Slowe, said: “ZeroC are very pleased to be associated with the Chesil Trust’s subsidised sailing programme for school children.

“We believe that this activity, that is so professionally managed by the trust, the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy and SailLaser performs a key role in introducing children, who may not otherwise have access to water sports, to the discipline of sailing.

“Over 1,000 children participated in the programme last year which is a testament to the success of this venture.”

David Dunn, chairman of the trustees of the Chesil Trust, said: “We would like to thank ZeroC for their support and generosity.

“Donations such as these allow for the continual development of community sailing both at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy and the Weymouth Outdoor Education Centre, providing opportunities to build a sporting legacy.

“Sailing is not a sport many would be able to do without the Chesil Trust.

“It’s great that we can continue our commitment to helping less privileged Dorset children try water sports and see their interest grow from strength to strength.”