London , England ( CNN ) -- A piece of rock legend Jimi Hendrix 's guitar , teak from China , a salad server and a plank of wood from a newly constructed London Olympic venue . Each item of this unusual collection of materials has its own unique history and now they have been put together to create a new sailing boat . The 30-foot yacht launched Monday in Emsworth , Hampshire on England 's southern coast , is made up of hundreds of precious items which have been donated by people across the country 's south-east . 'The Boat Project ' is a part of the region 's contribution to the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad , which bills itself as the largest cultural celebration in Olympic history . `` Many people do n't get to be exposed to the Games unless they have a ticket to an event , '' says boat builder Mark Covell . `` This gives more people the chance to be a part of the celebrations and the cultural history of the Olympics . '' Covell knows firsthand the thrill of being part of the Games -- having won a silver medal in Sydney in 2000 . The Olympian has been involved in the project from the beginning . It 's been two years in the making and Covell compares the scale of the project with his own Olympic preparations . `` It was an enormous task , '' explains Covell . `` You needed to go above and beyond . '' In all 1221 wooden objects were donated , and every single one has gone into the construction of the vessel . They range from treasures people have come across over the years in their travels to family heirlooms . The result is a yacht that is not only unique in her make up , but also in her sailing capabilities , says Mike Barham , who will captain the yacht . `` She 's much faster than a normal 30 ft yacht , '' he explains . `` She 's a cross between a high performance dingy and a high performance sailing boat . '' The donated items were collected over six months by organizers who visited 20 locations across south east England . Once laid out , the goods filled an entire carpark . `` The amount of precious things that were given has been really inspiring , '' says Covell . Steve Ashmore is one of the hundreds who donated goods . The graphic designer contributed a piece of wood from a block of wood known as a tro , which was used by fisherman to haul their fish up the beach in Hastings , in south-east England . `` I wanted to give something from the place I was from , '' he explained . Ashmore is in a unique position , not only has he helped in the physical make up of the boat , but he 's also a part of the crew of volunteers for the boat 's maiden voyage , all of whom have been nominated by their friends and family . `` I want the voyage to do the whole project justice , '' the novice sailor says . `` So many people have put time , creativity and love into it . '' The crew have been in training in recent weeks for their maiden voyage which will take them around the south east region . It will finish up at the London 2012 Olympic venue in Weymouth , Dorset in August , where it will remain on display throughout the Games . Even without taking to the water Covell says 'The Boat Project ' has embodied the spirit of the Olympics . `` It 's been the community who 've donated their items and a community of volunteers who 've built her and will sail her , '' Covell says . `` And bringing the community together is an Olympic ideal . ''
1200 donated wooden objects have been used to make the yacht . ' The Boat Project ' is a part of the London Cultural Olympiad . In addition, there are many other projects that aim at improving the lives and environment around us in various ways : for example, they build schools or hospitals with their own money ; they provide clean