OLYMPIC sailor Sir Ben Ainslie has backed a disability charity campaign.

Sir Ben, the most successful British Olympic sailor of all time, has thrown his support behind a Sussex Sailability’s campaign to build some of the very best facilities for sailors with disabilities in the UK.

The charity helps disabled people access sailing.

Sir Ben said, “I am delighted to support the Sussex Sailability Door to Shore’ fundraising campaign which will enable the building of brand-new facilities to allow disabled sailors full independent access to the sport.

"Sailing has given me so many opportunities and I am therefore keen for as many people as possible to have the opportunity to share in that passion.

“It’s all about accessibility; levelling the playing field to give everyone an equal chance of catching that sailing bug.

"It’s essential that sailors with disabilities have access to the right kit and facilities to be able to do that. I wish Sussex Sailability the very best of luck in their fundraising.”

The Door to Shore campaign aims to raise £538,000 which will allow Sussex Yacht Club, in partnership with the charity Sussex Sailability, to create a fully accessible centre of sailing excellence in Shoreham.

Terry Kinch, the commodore of Sussex Yacht Club said, “Our current club building is soon to be demolished to make way for flood defence.

"We could have simply rebuilt our HQ but our membership was absolutely determined that it would be designed with accessibility at its heart.”