A SAILOR who has spent the last 30 years giving children with special needs the opportunity to sail has been honoured.

Derek Moss, aged 64, a retired chemistry teacher from Happy Valley in Malvern, was presented with the prestigious Royal Yachting Association (RYA) lifetime commitment award by the Princess Royal, RYA president.

For the past 30 years Mr Moss, who has worked as chairman and is now the vice-chairman of Worcester Sailing School and Canoeing Association (WSSCA), has voluntarily given up his weekends and evenings teaching children with physical or learning disabilities and severe behavourial problems to sail.

He said: “I always had small groups of between 20 and 50 children and the kids realise you’re doing something for them, so I never had any hassle from any of them.

“They were very happy and that really helped them. I see them now years later and everyone’s really positive about it.

“It helped them find a social network.”

His efforts have seen many of his students remain at the club as regular participants who sometimes go on to become sailing instructors themselves.

He is now using his retirement to take up many of his other hobbies, including classic cars, which he missed out on over the years by giving up his weekends.

Mr Moss was nominated for the award by RYA council members and was selected as a winner by the awards panel.

He said: “I feel that this is an honour not only for me, but also for the other volunteers who have helped me teach sailing in schools.

“I enjoy seeing others excel and having fun safely.”

A total of 49 volunteer awards were presented to winners from across the UK.

Speaking after the ceremony in London, Mr Moss said: “Princess Anne was very nice, she talked about things that were quite personal,” he said.

“She was very down to earth. You hear things about the Royal Family but I thought she was really superb.”

The winners enjoyed a celebratory lunch and were all presented with a commemorative medallion and certificate.