Thomas Boyd sailing bursary funds lifechanging voyage for local young people

Lili onboard CatZero

ELI 26, and Lili, 19, both from Grimsby, were nominated by the CatZero team to receive the bursary funding due to the commitment and progress they had shown throughout their course. They flew from Humberside to Amsterdam and onwards to Stavanger, where they joined the crew of CatZero’s 72-foot Challenge yacht for the return leg of the voyage. Before joining CatZero’s 12-week personal development programme, which they completed in October 2024, neither had been in work. Since then, their futures have taken a new shape. Eli now works in hospitality and has achieved six qualifications, including the RYA Competent Crew certificate, while Lili achieved four qualifications, also including the RYA Competent Crew certificate. She has just completed her Level 3 Engineering course at Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher Education and hopes to pursue a career in the offshore wind industry.

The adventure took them to the charming port of Stavanger, before exploring the breath taking Lysefjord region and the world-famous Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) before sailing back across the North Sea in challenging conditions, and returning to Grimsby.

The bursary honours the late Thomas Boyd OBE, former chairman of Boyd Line and a lifelong champion of Hull’s fishing industry. A passionate sailor and advocate for youth development, Thomas helped create opportunities for young people to experience the challenges of life at sea. His daughter, Henrietta Boyd, is a Trustee of CatZero and is proud to see her father’s legacy of helping young people access opportunities that build skills, confidence, and resilience.

Henrietta Boyd says: “My father, Thomas, took great pleasure in seeing The Fishmongers’ Company choose to support CatZero. His ties to the Humber region and the fishing community spanned his entire life. The sea and sailing were his enduring passions, and he truly appreciated how transformative sailing could be, particularly on extended voyages. He would have been immensely proud of Lili and Eli, who demonstrated formidable resilience sailing back from Norway in demanding conditions as part of the Fishmongers’ Thomas Boyd Bursary trip. Our family is thrilled they were able to undertake such an experience, and it was a real joy to welcome them home and hear about their adventure. Congratulations to both, and heartfelt thanks to the dedicated CatZero team.”

CatZero CEO Adrian says: “This bursary is about much more than sailing. It connects us with the very idea for CatZero, providing opportunities for young people to get out of their comfort zones, challenge themselves and grow, while being equal members of a crew. Eli and Lili showed incredible determination on this voyage, and we are proud to see how both are building on their CatZero experience to pursue careers and aspirations they may never have believed possible before. We’re really grateful to The Fishmongers Company for their support.”

Eli reflects: “All the staff at CatZero have been so patient and supportive, always ready to explain and teach. This experience has changed my life massively for the better – CatZero for life.”

Lili adds: “It has definitely changed me as a person, and in how I am with friends and family. I have come a long way since being on the programme, and this voyage has given me confidence for the future.” 

Programme and Implementation Manager, Sarah Coulson, says: “We could not be prouder of Eli and Lili. To see them nominated for this bursary, take on such a demanding voyage, and come back with new confidence and ambition is exactly what CatZero is about. Their achievements are inspiring, and it is wonderful to see how far they have come since first joining us. We cannot wait to see who will join us next year and where their journey will take them.”

CatZero has been delivering lasting personal change for people of all ages since 2009, using sailing as a unique tool to build confidence, skills, and aspirations. Through tailored programmes, the charity helps participants overcome barriers, access training or work, and create positive futures.

CatZero’s Norway adventure sails are priced at £1750 per person and include food, full sailing kit, expert instruction, and the RYA Competent Crew certificate. For Eli and Lili, the bursaries covered the entire cost, opening the door to an opportunity that would otherwise have been out of reach.

To support CatZero’s lifechanging programmes, please visit our website www.catzero.org

Interested in joining an adventure sail in 2026? Get in touch for information about next year’s sails. info@catzero.org