Community

Each year Portland Harbour Authority sponsors local charities, organisations and individuals in the Weymouth & Portland area. Some of the recent beneficiaries include Weymouth & Portland Friends of Chernobyl Children, the Portland branch of the Dorset Association for the Disabled, various local children's sports clubs and the Royal Manor Theatre Group.

The Port allocates sponsorship on an annual basis and calls for applications via the Local Press in October. All applications are then considered by the Board Members at the Port's December Board Meeting.

In June 2009, a team from Portland Harbour Authority took on the "Three Peaks Yacht Challenge" in aid of Dorset Children's Hospice, Julia's House. The team of seven men and one woman completed the challenge over six days, climbing Ben Nevis, Mount Snowdon, and Scarfell Pike as well as navigating some 770 nautical miles. The adventure raised more than £20,000 for the charity.

In September 2010, two teams from Portland Harbour Authority took on the "Wilderness Challenge" in aid of The Sailors' Society. Both teams had a total of 24 hours to complete a gruelling 50k mountain bike ride followed by a 3km canoe, finished off with a 10km run. The teams raised a combined total of £5,090 for The Sailors' Society.

In June 2011, another team from Portland Harbour Authority took on the "Hadrians Wall Trekathon" to raise funds for the Portland branch of the St Johns Ambulance. The team of two men and four women took on a tough 26 mile walk over hilly landscapes which took over 12 hours. The team - called the 'Harbour Hikers' - have raised over £3,000 for their chosen charity. 

In July 2012, the staff at Portland Port took on a tough Triathlon in aid of two very special local charities, Dorset Children's Hospice, Julia's House and the Weldmare Hospicecare Trust. Taking place on the 8th July 2012, this is what the triathlon consisted of:

In pairs, it began with a 5 mile kayak down 'The Fleet'. Starting at 9am, the kayak route ran from the Ferrybridge to Langton Herring, from which point there was a challenging 8 mile walk to the Hardy Monument followed by possibly the toughest test of the day - a 25 mile cycle across country back to Portland Port. The first 'pair' back to the Port were declared the winners!