Health & Lifestyle, Poole | Posted on August 17th, 2026 | return to news

Poole care home resident gets her sailing wish

Chrissie, who served in the RAF, took part in Poole Yacht Club’s Summer Series races around Poole Harbour.

A resident of Alexandra House Care Home, who served as a radio controller in the RAF, has fulfilled a sailing wish.

During her time in the forces, Chrissie remembers sailing from Bombay to Singapore with her colleagues and wanted to take to the water once again to relive some of those happy memories.

The Parkstone-based Care South home got in touch with Poole Yacht Club, who invited Chrissie to take part in one of their weekly Summer Series races around Poole Harbour. Sailing with an all-women crew aboard Peggy Pepper, led by Tracey Lee, Chrissie proved to be a lucky passenger as the boat came third in the race.

Chrissie was supported throughout the experience by Lana Wright, home manager at Alexandra House, Rebecca Jenner, deputy manager, and Nicola Hook, activities lead at the home.

Chrissie said: “I felt at home on the boat. It was very good. I liked when the boat went up high on the waves. I was a bit scared, but I managed to keep my cool. It was thrilling and I like that it was a women-only crew.”

Tracey Lee, Class Captain for Cruiser Class 3 at Poole Yacht Club, said: “Chrissie was such a trooper. It was pretty windy during the race and she took it all in her stride. She enjoyed the sociability of sailing and racing in a team and just had a fab time. I know I speak for all the Peggy Pepper crew when I say it was a wonderful privilege to share the evening’s race with her.”

Lana Wright said: “It was wonderful to see Chrissie relive such happy memories and enjoy the thrill of being back out on the water after taking a long break from sailing. As soon as she got on the boat, she beamed from ear to ear, and it was clear just how much the experience meant to her. It was a very special day for Chrissie, and we were delighted to help make her sailing wish come true.”