LIVING with the disabling condition multiple sclerosis, Karen Passmore could be forgiven for feeling sorry for herself.

But instead the Southmead pensioner set herself a mission to do something for Bristol's disabled and disadvantaged youngsters.

She spent all of her life savings – about £30,000 – to buy and restore a yacht which will be used by a charity to help young people learn to sail, and has dedicated her time to ensuring everything is done to get the boat into the water.

Ms Passmore says she has spent "every last penny" on the project and is now living off beans on toast.

She is now hoping other people will share her vision and help find the last £10,000 needed to get the 40ft yacht up and running. The 61-year-old was inspired to begin the project on a sailing trip last year, when a skipper she met in Dorset told her about a charity that helps young people learn to sail.

She said she has been given so much help from the city she wanted to give something back.

After securing mooring from Bristol City Council and having refitted much of the vessel thanks to a partnership with the Job Centre, she is now hoping to gain sponsorship and funding so her dream can be realised.

Yesterday, for the boat's official launch, Ms Passmore was joined by its former owner Alan Mercer, the deputy lord mayor, Councillor Colin Smith, and some of the teenagers who had worked on the refit. Ms Passmore said: "I decided that this would be a great thing for Bristol and so I found a yacht and started doing it up."

Ms Passmore has spent hundreds of hours working on the boat.

She teamed up with the Job Centre and was able to give teenagers such as 19-year-old Sam Watson and Judah Horton, from Manor Farm, the opportunity to gain new skills in sanding, painting and wiring.

Mr Watson said: "It's been really motivating and it's given us a reason to get out of bed in the morning.

"We've learnt a lot of new skills and hopefully it will mean we can go on to get jobs now.

"It's really great to see it go into the water."

Ms Passmore has also teamed up with charity Break Free Foundation, based in Swansea, although she is adamant the boat will stay in the city.

She said: "The labour has all been free and I've also managed to get the mooring free until April next year. But now the money has gone. I've spent every last penny I have but it has also really improved my health and kept me motivated.

"I'm now at the stage when I'm living on baked beans on toast, so would really like some help with donations. We think we need about £10,000 to complete it.

"It's not about me really, it's about the kids and what this can mean for them.

"Sailing offers such a great opportunity for young people. I've had a lot of help from Bristol and this is my way of giving something back to the city. The Break Free Foundation provides young people who are disabled, are disengaged or deprived of the opportunity to have experiences they might otherwise not have."

Councillor Smith said: "This is a fantastic project and it's all being done for the right reasons. It's engaging with people who might not have the opportunity to come and do something different and the disciplines you need for sailing are great for anyone to learn."

The yacht, which is blue and white, is named Lief which means loved in Swedish.

To donate to the charity visit www.breakfreefoundation.org or contact Ms Passmore on 0771 211 0934.