Panaz News Article

Attard takes to the Atlantic waters for FIT

From Las Palmas to St Lucia, Tony Attard OBE and president of the FIT trust is soon to follow in the footsteps of legends; Dame Ellen MacArthur, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, and Dee Caffari on a mammoth water challenge in aid of the furnishings charity, FIT.

The challenge for this worthy charity will commence on 21st November from the Las Palmas port where Tony will set sail by yacht with an experienced and competent team. The journey is expected to last 18 -20 days before anchoring down at St Lucia on or before 9th December. In the meantime the FIT President has lots of hard work ahead of him in planning for such a challenge as his sailing experience is somewhat limited to local waters; “Although crossing the Atlantic seems a small step in comparison to great adventurers gone by, for me it will be an enormous challenge as my previous experience is limited to crossing the channel!”. Tony and his team hope that crossing the Atlantic will raise money and indeed awareness for the UK industry specific charity, the Furnishing Industry Trust, more recently known as FIT. FIT, formally known as FTBA was established over 100 years ago to support people in the UK who have been employed in the furnishings industry with practical help. Grants to assist with financial hardship, such as one off payments for respite breaks, and mobility aids for people suffering critical or long term illness are just some of the work the trust has been able to carry out. FIT are also developing grants to provide students with university bursaries to cover some of the costs of furnishing industry related courses. Tony’s ambition is to cross the Atlantic and to raise £10,000 for FIT, and he is hoping you can help. Every donation, large or small will enable the trust to support some of the most deserving and needy people in the UK. Your contributions will also help to preserve the longevity of the furnishing industry. We hope words from two of FIT’s benefactors will inspire you to make a pledge; “The allowance you pay me allows me to have a few things would not be able to have. This year I had a big expense with my central heating boiler having to be replaced which was hard for me, so your allowance really helps me.” “The case worker who visited us on behalf of FIT could not believe we were managing on such a small amount of money. When the FIT grant arrived we were thrilled, we could begin to live again instead of simply existing.” Please dig deep and make a donation by visiting www.justgiving.co.uk/tony-attard. Every penny really does count. Thank you.