VEP Sailing Events
Honouring Our Heroes Through Adventure, Skill & the Sea
An inspiring sailing project supporting ex-service personnel — providing respite, purpose, and opportunity aboard a historic 78ft classic yacht.
Why This Matters
Thousands of former service personnel are currently unemployed — through no fault of their own. Those who served our nation faithfully deserve our support.
VEP Sailing Events was created to offer meaningful respite, new skills, and renewed hope to ex-forces personnel — while delivering exciting, engaging sailing experiences.
Our Mission
To support ex-service personnel by
Offering time away from life’s pressures
Providing adventure, learning, and relaxation
Creating opportunities that may lead to future pathways
Building a community that cares, contributes, and participates
All through the timeless power of sailing.
The Experience
Sailing for Wellbeing & Growth
Beneficiaries are invited aboard Rona, a 78ft classic sailing ketch, where they can:
- Disconnect from daily stress
- Learn practical sailing skills
- Be part of a supportive crew environment
- Experience adventure, purpose, and teamwork
The focus is relaxation through learning, helping redirect the mind away from the thoughts that often lead to depression.
- Every adventure aboard Rona will be:
- Professionally filmed
- Shared freely across social platforms
- Open for supporters to follow, enjoy, and feel part of
We’re building more than a project — we’re building a journey you can be part of. A public membership program will launch with our website, offering:
- Exclusive updates
- Opportunities to get involved
- Competitions & prizes
How It Works
High Season
- Rona operates as a charter yacht, available for:
- Classic regattas & races
- Sailing events & shows
- Private holidays and charters
- This helps fund the project while offering unforgettable experiences to sailing enthusiasts.
Low Season
- Rona is dedicated entirely to:
- Ex-forces & Potential Skills Development
- Offering, Respite and Relaxation
- Building confidence at no cost to them
- This honors their service while offering transformative opportunities to veteran communities.
Meet Rona - A Yacht With a Legacy
Rona is a 78ft classic sailing ketch built in 1895 by Stow & Son in Shoreham-by-Sea, England.
- Her remarkable story includes:
- Originally launched as Aura, a family yacht
- Service as a naval training vessel
- Participation in a Tall Ships Race
- Ownership by Lord Amory
- Use in the London Sailing Project, supporting disadvantaged youth
- A full restoration in 1997, transforming her into a Bermudan Ketch
Rona has raced and won regattas across:
- The Solent
- Hong Kong
- Southeast Asia
She is a beloved vessel with over a century of maritime history — and she continues to change lives.
- Returning to UK waters late 2026
- Catch us at Cowes Week, August 2026
Every Penny Counts
Every donation — no matter how small — makes a difference.
But just as important as the amount is the number of supporters. Public interest is essential to:
- Secure sponsorship
- Attract media coverage
- Unlock the project’s full potential
Whether supported by a few key backers or many generous individuals, your involvement matters.
Ways to Support
Donations from £1
Event-specific merchandise
Sailing experiences aboard a classic yacht
Funding perks & exclusive opportunities
Explore our funding perks and find the level that suits you
Join Us
- Support those who served.
- Be part of something meaningful.
- Help Rona continue her legacy of adventure, purpose, and hope.
Together, we can make this project succeed.
