For those familiar with sponsoring me (thank you) you might remember I swam from Portsmouth to the IOW (as a very recent swimmer) in 2013. I also ran round it in 2012 (as a very slow runner).

A lovely man has sponsored 8 yachts, all expenses paid, so all donations will go direct to the work Keech does with seriously ill children and their families. 8 yachts = 64 sailors, of which 57 of us have no sailing experience. We are the largest amateur fleet ever in the 100 year history of the race. (We will have one day's training before setting off - hopefully enough to prevent losing anyone ...)

I was 12 last time I went sailing (school trip to the Norfolk Broads) so I thought  - plenty of experience - I would give this a go too ...

The main equipment I have been advised to get is: seasickness tablets, wet wipes (because no showering), earplugs (close 24hr quarters with - as yet - complete strangers in extraordinarily tiny sleeping quarters) sick bags, deck shoes, warm layers and non marking soles. Extra sea sickness tablets. I have a feeling this boating thing isn't perhaps as glamorous as it might seem at first ...

If you like the idea of me suffering sea sickness, the obvious difficulties with toilet sharing on a small boat with 8 strangers, little or no sleep, no access to water or soap apart from the sea (in addition to the sum total of my sailing experience being a school trip at the age of 12)  in a fast competition at the tender age of (only just) 57 perhaps you might like to send a donation to this page, which will go directly to the wonderful work that Keech does.

I live in St Albans - where Keech cares for many local families and up to 150 very seriously ill children across Hertfordshire, as well as their families. Keech is there from the point of diagnosis, during their whole lives as well as their death and after. It is a truly inspirational place to work.

If you do send something, you are the loveliest person. No amount is too small.

Thank you for reading.

Much love, Granni Alli