Urgent charity yacht sale

Contango, the yacht that is being sold to raise money for building shelters in Calais

A yacht that was donated by a Jersey boat owner to help raise funds for shelters for migrants and refugees who are facing a cold winter in Calais camps is urgently awaiting sale.

Volunteer aid worker Ghazi Najib said the yacht was worth £25,000 but added: ‘As a charity we are happy to accept any offer as we need the money to buy shelters for the refugees before the weather get colder as soon as possible.’

Boat owner Michael de Petrovsky visited the camps with aid and construction workers and was so touched by the plight of people living there that the pensioner has now given his seven-berth racing cruiser Contango to Mr Najib.

The money raised will be used to build emergency shelters in the French port town. More than 300 shelters are needed at a cost of $1,700 each; each shelter can accommodate 20 people and provide facilities for eating and lighting.

Mr de Petrovsky is continuing paying the boat’s £350 a month mooring fees in Jersey until it is sold.

The yacht is being sold privately by Mr Najib who said: ‘Every penny counts at the moment before the winter hit.’

Interested buyers can call Mr Najib on 07797 862492 or email ghazi2407@gmail.com