Well sorry, I couldn’t find a better way of letting you all know about my crazy crusade across the Atlantic and the amazing charity I have decided to raise money for.
As some of you may already know….(ahem) I’m off on a small adventure in May. I am taking part in the 09-10 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race and will be racing for ‘Team California’ from Jamaica to New York, on to Canada, then across the Atlantic to Kinsale in Ireland before heading back through more familiar waters into Hull on the 17 July 2010…. (slightly less glam than the other stops I know… but hopefully some of you lot will be there – so that might just make up for it!)
I’m all paid up and have been doing some pretty gruelling training over the last year to get myself ready… my second home is now the gym and the long awaited start is looming ever closer!
I decided a while ago that I’d like to raise money for Spinal Research a charity very close to my heart and one that is carrying out some incredible research into paralysis caused by broken neck or back. http://www.spinal-research.org/
Every year more than 800 people in the UK and Ireland are paralysed following an injury to their spinal cord and with all of the adventurous activities we all do, it could be you or someone you love who finds themselves in that position. We take simple things for granted, like having the ability to walk and the freedom we have from this.
So whenever it gets bad out there on the race I’m going to think that if people who suffer from paralysis can compete in the Paralympics, sail around the single handily and just get on with living, then I can certainly overcome this challenge.
My challenge to you is to check out the Clipper Race website where you can have a look at the online live tracker that follows the boats. Take part in some virtual racing and find out a bit more about the race and then if you are able to, please sponsor me to complete the 4 races in my leg. http://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/index.php/Home
I’ve loaded up some photos to give you an idea of what life has been like so far…. You may think this all looks a little tame…as yes these are the fair weather selection! But I will be sure to upload more when we hit stop overs and you will be able to see photos of the boat and our diary entries on the California Clipper website. http://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/california/index.php/Home
If you want to know what it really looks like out there check this out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXuzy0k9mZQ It's some footage from the BT Global Challenge, which is a very similar race to the Clipper.
So all that is left to say is- thanks, firstly for everyone’s support and advice in the run up to the race and secondly for any donation you are able to give. I know Spinal Research will be very appreciative too.
I'll hopefully see you all before I leave,
Lots of Love,
Hannah xxx
