Update

So.. I have unfortunately not been selected to be a part of the team to sail the Atlantic. I have, however, enjoyed every moment of this process. I have gotten to know some amazing people, learnt new things about myself, and pushed and prodded at the boundaries of my comfort zone.

I have only benefitted from this process and am thankful to everyone who had a role in making it a reality. I may not be on that boat in November, but this whole thing has only whetted my appetite for sailing and fundraising.

I had quoted one of my favorite writers, Eduardo Galeano, in my initial application - it seems appropriate to repeat that here, though in a different context:

“Utopia is on the horizon. I move two steps closer; it moves two steps further away. I walk another ten steps and the horizon runs ten steps further away. As much as I may walk, I'll never reach it. So what's the point of utopia? The point is this: to keep walking.”

Sailing an ocean had been a dream of mine since I moved to London and saw the Clipper Round the World adverts in the Tube three years ago. From now on it'll be my metaphoric horizon - hopefully one that I will one day reach.

Anyway, enough talk about me! The fundraising continues! As part of the Atlantic 30, I will continue to be active in the collective fundraising efforts going forward. This page will also remain active until at least the end of the year. I can't ask you to sponsor me any more, but if you would like to contribute to this amazing charity (and put a smile on my face in the process!), I - and more importantly, a lot of children in need of a helping hand - will be very grateful.

Take care! And remember to test the boundaries of your no-go zone! (And if you go too far just push-push-pull-pull ;))

Over and out.

                                             ***************

My company (IBI) is sending a team of 10 to take part in the ARC 2014 sailing race across the Atlantic, which will start in Gran Canaria and finish - 2,700 nautical miles away - in St. Lucia. I have been fortunate enough to be one of 30 people shortlisted to take part.

All 30 of us are now fundraising - both individually and collectively - for our chosen charity of Save the Children, and will continue to do so whether or not we are ultimately selected to take part in the race. All the money raised will go directly to Save the Children; the costs of the challenge are being covered entirely by IBI.

Save the Children works to help children in 120 countries across the world, including conflict zones such as Syria where more than three years of civil war has cost the lives of 11,000 children and turned more than 1 million into refugees. It works to provide children in need with food, protection, healthcare, and education - things we usually take for granted in our own lives.

Thank you for reading this message and please consider making a donation - every little bit helps!

• £15 can buy five mosquito nets to protect vulnerable children from deadly malaria
  
• £25 can buy enough medicine to treat 82 children suffering from pneumonia
• £50 could buy two hygiene kits with soap, towels and toothbrushes
  
• £100 can train a health worker to diagnose and treat sick children
  

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and secure. Your donations are sent directly to Save the Children, so they can begin to make a difference today.