Peterborough businesses support unique ice cream creation fundraiser

Geoff Masonis taking on the challenge to raise funds for the Tall Ships Youth Trust, who are the UK’s oldest and largest sail training charity.

While based in Portsmouth, they give young people aged 12-25 from across the country the opportunity to go on residential voyages and learn sailing and other life skills.

The challenge to make 64 flavours of ice cream in as many days comes from the fact that the charity is marking its 64th anniversary with pleas for fundraising ideas to help find the £100,000 it needs to stay afloat.

Geoff said: “This Charity has inspired me because it offers young people, including my daughter, a positive experience. It gives them a chance to test themselves against the elements and to grow in confidence in their own abilities. It puts the wind in their sails and broadens their horizons.”

The challenge has required Geoff to get creative with flavours and his recent creations include Canteloupe Sloop, Corryvreckan Black (a whiskey infused concoction) and ‘The Kissing Sailor’ (a passionfruit sensation.)

Geoff and his wife Sarah have been blown away by the support they have recieved in this venture from businesses in Peterborough.

A phone call to Fengate based Flexi labels to buy labels for the ice cream ended in them getting involved with sponsorship.

Staff member Georgia Heard said: “I had such an amazing time sailing with the Youth Trust. It gave me a great love of the sea and really taught me the importance of being a team player.”

Another unexpected source of donations came from Fratellis in Rivergate. After a recent meal out there, owner Lorna Femminile found out about the cause and donated her own ice cream takings to the charity.

Geoff said: “As I left, she ran after me to make her donation, her generosity was so touching especially when you think how hard the hospitality industry has been hit by Covid.”

All of the ice cream is being stored at the couple’s home in Kings Cliffe, with plans to give it away to anyone that is interested,

Updates on Geoff’s progress and the link to donate can be found here.