A SAILING instructor who has helped disabled people get out onto the water for more than 16 years has received a lifetime achievement award from the Royal Yachting Association (RYA). David Campbell, 81, commodore of the Grafham Water Sailability Club, r

A SAILING instructor who has helped disabled people get out onto the water for more than 16 years has received a lifetime achievement award from the Royal Yachting Association (RYA).

David Campbell, 81, commodore of the Grafham Water Sailability Club, received the award at the annual conference of the RYA Sailability at Wyboston Lakes on February 20.

A spokesman for Grafham Water Sailability said: "Many disabled sailors have learned to sail with the help of David - 2010 marks his sixteenth year of voluntary work with Sailability, during which time he has toured the UK and Ireland with disabled sailors, enabling them to compete in national and international sailing competitions, as well as instructing each Thursday at Grafham."

Mr Campbell, of St Ives Road, Somersham, became a volunteer sailing instructor at the Grafham Water Centre following retirement from the RAF where he had been a flying instructor.