Highlighting its commitment to corporate social responsibility, Appleby, the official law firm for the 35th America’s Cup, announces several community partnerships and events to coincide with the “greatest race on the water.”
Appleby, a leading offshore law firm, is providing the America’s Cup Event Authority, organisers of the 35th America’s Cup, with a range of legal services leading up to and during the events. In addition to this work, Appleby is giving back to the community in several jurisdictions in which it has offices.
These initiatives include Appleby’s partnership with the Jersey Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club sending two cadets to participate in the America’s Cup Endeavour Program in Bermuda, involvement in funding a day of sailing for underprivileged young people through the Set Sail Trust in Guernsey, a year-long partnership with the disability boating charity Wetwheels Jersey and sponsorship of the Manx Youth Sailing Squad.
“For Appleby, corporate social responsibility goes to the core of who we are,” said Michael O’Connell, Global Managing Partner of Appleby. “We are honoured to be the official law firm to the 35th America’s Cup. We relish the opportunity to contribute to our communities. This event epitomises our values and we are delighted to be associated with it.”
America’s Cup racing begins 26 May 2017, with the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Qualifiers, followed by the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Challenger Playoffs from 4 June 2017. The America’s Cup Match presented by Louis Vuitton takes place from 17 June till 27 June.
Appleby sponsorships include the following:
• Appleby has partnered with the Jersey Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club to send two cadets to represent Jersey and Great Britain at the America’s Cup Endeavour Junior Regattas, which takes place during the America’s Cup in Bermuda. The Endeavour programme is a youth education and sailing programme with a focus on leaving a sporting legacy in Bermuda, giving Juniors and Youth the opportunity to sail and be a part of one of the world’s greatest sporting event. Appleby’s sponsorship includes funding the team’s airline flights.
• Each year the Set Sail Trust bring replica “cutter” sailing boats from Bristol to Guernsey to give primary school children, youth and special needs groups nominated by a range of local agencies a nautical experience, sailing the local waters with an opportunity to be involved in crewing the ships whilst leaning about their history. This year, as Corporate Ambassadors, Appleby will fund a class from Hautes Capelles Primary School to sail the Guernsey waters on 14 June. On the same day, Appleby colleagues and some of their clients will participate in a sailing race as Team Appleby.
• A year-long partnership with Wetwheels, a charity dedicated to building the confidence of disabled participants by providing the opportunity to access the sea. Throughout the year, Appleby will help to educate and inspire disabled and disadvantaged people in Jersey, whilst enjoying being at sea on a safe and reliable vessel. All donations made to Wetwheels are used to get more people on the water and Appleby’s efforts will increase the number of trips over the course of the year.
• The Appleby Charitable Foundation is supporting the Manx Youth Sailing Squad by sponsoring one of the squad’s boats. The Manx Youth Sailing Squad was formed in 2008 and provides top level race coaching to promising junior sailors.