Polly's Challenge, A Week of Sea Activities for Year 6/7

Opportunities for Isle of Wight children

Polly’s Challenge is a funded programme for Island children aged 10-14 years during the school holidays.

Five action packed days to help build confidence and a sense of adventure.

About Polly’s Challenge

Polly’s Fund was set up in memory of Polly Birch, who had a passion for sailing. Her family and friends are proud to continue the challenge in her memory by removing barriers so that outdoor adventure is accessible to everyone.

Polly’s Challenge offers Isle of Wight children a special opportunity to join us at UKSA for a fully funded five-day sailing course or multi-activity water sports adventure. These courses would usually cost around £250 per person. The courses run during the school holidays enabling children to have fun, be adventurous and learn new skills through participation in outdoor activities.

“Appreciate the people around you, adventure with them, buy less stuff and go out to experience the world. Laugh, dance and have fun. Respect the world and look after the bees.” – Polly Birch

Our Beneficiaries

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The adventure continues

If your child loved their first Polly’s Challenge course, they could come back again the following year.

At UKSA we aim to create structured pathways for children and young people, which is why we welcome children back again and again. After completing Polly’s Challenge, they could try one of our courses for teenagers like the Maritime Futures Programme.

UKSA provides all the specialist equipment that each child needs. All they will need to bring is a swimsuit, towel, and shoes they can get wet (full kit list will be provided) and lunch will be included.

As part of the challenge, we ask each young person to fundraise a minimum of £20 that goes straight back into Polly’s Fund, to enable the programme to support more children in the future. We encourage the children to do this through sponsorship like cleaning cars, tidying their room, or helping a neighbour in need, but they can be as creative as they like!

Every child takes something away from each course – confidence, pride, new dreams, or a happy memory to last a lifetime.

Get involved

Part of Polly’s Challenge is raising a minimum of £20 sponsorship to be able to take part in the activity week. The money that each child raises goes straight back into Polly’s Fund, which enable us to keep the programme running for years to come, meaning more and more young people get to experience the thrill of a water-based adventure.

You can be as creative as you like with your fundraising, don’t be afraid to think outside of the box! If you would like any help with your fundraising, please get in touch and our fundraising team will be more than happy to support you

Not a Polly’s Challenge participant but would still like to do some fundraising?

Each year the demand from Island families is growing, and more and more children who might otherwise miss out due to the cost are visiting UKSA thanks to Polly’s Fund. In 2025 we need to raise around £20,000 to cover the cost of the programme. Which is why we need your help!

Have a fun fundraising idea of your own? Or want to take part in one of our challenge events please get in touch. We would love to hear from you.

Who’s it for?

Any child in school Year 6 or above on the Isle of Wight, who has taken part in the UKSA Test the Water programme and has any type of financial need (FSM/PP/SEN/UC/IN CARE), can take part in Polly’s Challenge.

The funding enables those who may not be able to afford to get back out on the water after taking part in the Test the Water programme.

Spaces are limited so follow these three steps:

Step one – Enquire

Drop us a line either by telephone to 01983 203001 or e-mail [email protected]

To provisionally book a space, you will be asked which date you are interested in, details about your child, and contact details for yourself. You will then be sent a sponsorship form which your child needs to complete to confirm their space on the programme.

Step two – Get sponsored

From tidy bedrooms, walking the dog or washing the car, each child is asked to raise a minimum of £20.00 for Polly’s Challenge.

Step three – Complete booking

To confirm your child’s place, please contact [email protected] to pay in sponsorship money and submit your sponsorship form.

Help fund an adventure on the water

Looking to the future, Polly’s Fund is committed to continue supporting Isle of Wight children, to give them the opportunity to have an adventure just as Polly wished. All money raised helps to make this dream a reality and gives young people a chance to discover a passion for adventure and the sea.

#SeaChangeStories

“My son Brody has benefited so much from the Polly’s Challenge course, he was quite shy and not usually one to enjoy being out of his comfort zone, but he absolutely took to the challenge with his confidence and enthusiasm growing each day. It has taught him to have a go at new things without fear of failure and he has used Polly’s Challenge as the inspiration to apply to the Wildlife Trust competition with his project plan to “look after the bees”, just as Polly Birch said”.

Parent of a Polly’s Challenge Participant

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