Family of man who dreamed of owning yacht launch his ashes into sea on homemade boat

'Everything he did was for his family, which is why we did this in return'

Norman Sanders always dreamed of owning a boat (Caters News Agency)

A former Yorkshire coal miner who emigrated to Australia has been granted his final wish by his family – to sail his own boat.

Norman Sanders, who was born in South Kirby, West Yorkshire, moved his young family across the world decades ago.

Mr Sanders, who died three months ago after a fall, achieved much in his 89 years and had ambitions of owning a yacht, but never managed to fulfil his dream.

He worked in Australia as a public servant with his wife Theo and is survived by his three children, six grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

After his death, his family decided to honour his dream as best they could and built a tiny yacht to send his ashes to sea.

The family hope the boat will reach New Zealand, the US, South Africa and possibly the UK, calling the journey “Captain Norman sails home”.

The sail on the boat, named SS Norman Sanders, carries a message for anyone who finds it.

It reads: “Hi. My name is Norman Sanders. This boat contains my ashes. I am trying to make my way back home to England.”

Mr Sanders’ granddaughter, Kara Heinl, said that the family would often go on holiday on the coast south of Sydney and pretend they owned one of the expensive boats at the marina.

“It was his dream to sail his own boat,” she said.

“He made our family what it is today through his strength, his courage and his determination.

“Everything he did was for his family, which is why we did this in return.”

The boat containing Mr Sanders’ ashes was launched at Batemans Bay, 140 miles south of Sydney, last weekend.

“We said our goodbyes and waved and cheered him on as he left,” Mrs Heinl said.

The yacht’s progress is being logged on a Facebook page called Captain Norman.