<p>This year we will be racing our yacht Polly's Kettle in the Fastnet Race, an aspiration for most amateur offshore racers.&nbsp; There are 350 yachts entered, a record since the disaster of 1979, including five Volvo (Whitbread as was) &nbsp;round the world yachts, and&nbsp;seven Open 60&nbsp;single-handed round the world yachts - the professionals of offshore racing.&nbsp;</p> <p>We are raising money for Disability Challengers who provide wonderful facilities and events for disabled children to play in a safe environment, to give their parents a much needed break to be themselves, and to support disabled youths and young adults for whom there is generally little provision for entertainment.&nbsp; I have seen the fabulous effect this has for my nephew, and encourage you to support this charity</p> <p>There are 8 of us on board:&nbsp;Tom Davidson, Simon Webb, Seamus Woodward-George, &nbsp;Matt Burleigh, Will McGough, Robert Page and Conrad Manning.</p> <p>The start is Sunday 14th August and the&nbsp;race takes us from Cowes to the Fastnet Rock off the southwest of Ireland, back round the Scilly Islands&nbsp;to finish at Plymouth.&nbsp; We expect to be 5 days, weather permitting.&nbsp; The race is handicapped, and we are one of the slower boats on the water, so don't be despondent seeing us at the back!.</p> <p>Thank you!</p>