Derwent Hill: Former pupil donates safety boat for water activities

Sunderland-born Dr Paul Holland and his wife Jenny have funded a new safety and rescue boat for Derwent Hill and pledged a further £20,000 to help subsidise course fees for young people.

Derwent Hill has received a new safety and rescue boat funded by Sunderland-born businessman and academic Dr Paul Holland and his wife Jenny. Dr Holland first visited the outdoor centre in the 1980s as a pupil and has since joined the Friends of Derwent Hill with his wife. The couple’s gift is intended to support water-based activities on Derwent Water and keep those sessions safely available to visiting young people. They have also committed an additional donation of £20,000 to Friends of Derwent Hill, to be given on 1 April. Key details: - The Holland family funded a Pioner Multi III Pro safety and rescue boat that has recently been put into service on Derwent Water. - Derwent Hill is owned by Sunderland City Council and operated by the council’s children’s services partner, Together for Children. - The couple have joined the Friends of Derwent Hill, a group of trustees supporting the centre, which has offered outdoor education and training since 1962. - The additional £20,000 pledge, with gift aid, is intended to fund 50% of course fees for 200 young people. - The centre hosts thousands of children each year, with reports that over 2,500 Sunderland youngsters take part in residential trips annually and that many attend at a subsidised rate. Summary: The donation has provided a boat that will be used in water-based activities at Derwent Hill and aims to support safe delivery of those sessions. The Holland family’s further pledged gift, scheduled for 1 April, is intended to subsidise course fees for a defined group of young people; other ongoing operations of the centre continue under council ownership and the Friends of Derwent Hill. Undetermined at this time.