We are incredibly proud to share that Danny Watson, Director of Sailing at CatZero, has been shortlisted for the Special Recognition Award at the Hey Smile Foundation’s HEY Charity Awards 2026.
This nomination is a powerful reflection of Danny’s unwavering dedication, not only to CatZero, but to the thousands of young people whose lives have been transformed through his work.
A Journey Driven by Purpose
Danny’s path to CatZero is anything but conventional. After graduating with a degree in Business and Economics from the University of Edinburgh, he spent five years working in the City, including three years co-founding a sports management agency with Olympic gold medallist Duncan Goodhew.
But it was the pull of something more meaningful that led him to pursue a career at sea.
Since 1999, Danny has sailed professionally, and it was during his time with the Ocean Youth Trust that he first witnessed the life-changing impact of sail training. Seeing young people grow in confidence, resilience and self-belief ignited a passion that would shape the rest of his career.
From Vision to Reality
In 2005/06, Danny skippered the yacht Qingdao in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, returning again in 2007/08 to lead the Hull & Humber yacht. It was here, working with young people from the Humber region, that the foundations of something bigger began to form.
After meeting Jim Dick during this time, the idea for CatZero was born.
In 2008, alongside Jim Dick and Dave Bertholini, Danny helped establish CatZero with a clear mission: to use sailing as a platform to support and transform the lives of young people.
A Holistic Approach to Change
What sets Danny apart is not just his experience at sea, but his commitment to supporting the whole person.
He understands that real change comes from both physical and mental development. Alongside his sailing career, Danny has qualified as a Mindfulness Coach, a Level 3 Personal Trainer and an Executive Coach. These skills are embedded into CatZero’s programmes, helping participants build confidence, resilience and self-awareness.
His approach is simple but powerful: everyone has unlimited potential.
Leading by Example
Danny’s commitment extends far beyond his professional role. Between 2014 and 2020, he undertook a series of extraordinary personal challenges to raise funds for CatZero, generating around £150,000 for the charity.
These included:
- Completing an Ironman Triathlon
- Running a 69-mile ultra-marathon, from Carlisle to Newcastle.
- Cycling from John O’Groats to Land’s End
- Running 30 marathons in 30 days
Each challenge pushed physical and mental limits, reflecting the same resilience and determination he encourages in every young person he works with.
In 2024, Danny ran 93 miles (150km) in one day to mark CatZero’s 15th anniversary, raising a staggering £40,000.
A Moment of Recognition for CatZero
This recognition also comes at an exciting time for the wider CatZero team who has been shortlisted for two awards at the Hey Smile Foundation’s HEY Charity Awards 2026. The Children’s School Holiday Programme has been recognised in the Children & Youth Award category, while CatZero’s partnership with Sewell Group has been shortlisted for Partnership of the Year.
Together, these nominations highlight the strength of our organisation, partnerships, and the collective impact we make across the community.
A Well-Deserved Recognition
Danny’s nomination for the Special Recognition Award is not just about his achievements, but about the lasting impact he continues to make every day.
Through his leadership, passion and belief in people, he has helped shape CatZero into a charity that doesn’t just change lives in the moment, but sets individuals on a path for the future.
This recognition is richly deserved, and we are incredibly proud to see his work acknowledged on this stage.
CatZero’s Programme and Implementation Manager, Sarah Coulson says, “Danny is a very inspirational person, who is kind and supportive and brings out the best in everyone he works with – not just our young people. We are so proud that his hard work has been recognised and that he can be celebrated.”
At CatZero, we see first-hand the difference Danny makes, not just as a leader, but as a mentor, role model and driving force behind everything we do.
Congratulations, Danny.