A NORTH-EAST student is preparing to take on a senior role on one of the boats in the Tall Ships Race.

Marketing management student Jessie Gebhard has been selected to be crew boss on the Bessie Ellen, a 125ft ship that will join more than 100 ships in the four-day race from Newcastle to Fredrikstad, in Norway.

However, to take part in the race, she needs to raise £1,200 to cover training, qualifications, clothing and transport back from Norway.

Ms Gebhard, 22, of Northumbria University, will lead a crew of 16 on the North-East Sailing Team (Nest) ship.

Nest is a youth volunteering initiative, and the crew of the ship ranges from world-class sailors to novices from the North-East who have been selected for their enthusiasm and have trained to compete.

As crew boss, Ms Gebhard will be responsible for making sure all the crew are carrying out their duties and dealing with problems.

Her parents own a sailing company on Gateshead Quayside, and she has been sailing since she was two, although she is more familiar with 16ft dinghies than Tall Ships.

She said: "I have always wanted to do the Tall Ships.

"I am more used to sailing on small boats, but it is a great opportunity for personal development, teaching people how to sail and working in teams."

The Tall Ships will dock in Newcastle on July 25 and leave on July 28.

Anyone who wishes to sponsor Ms Gebhard has been asked to contact her on 0773 050 7554.