Next July I have the chance to take part in a once in a lifetime experience but I need your help to make it happen! 

I've been selected to take part in the 4th and final leg of the 2009 Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge. I will be sailing as Watch Officer on Rona II, an Oyster 68' owned by the Rona Trust (London Sailing Project) and with a crew of young people aged between 16 & 25 yrs old we will race the 2,350 nautical miles across the North Atlantic from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Belfast, Northern Ireland.

2009 is also the year I celebrate my 40th anniversary with the Rona Trust, having first experienced a sail training voyage with this remarkable charity as a 15 year old sea cadet in 1969.  Since then I have personally helped over 750 individuals to achieve new goals through my involvement as a project volunteer.

The benefits of sail training are enormous. The sea does not tolerate the unprepared, the selfish or the lazy and the controlled adventure of sail training is a superb way of exposing today’s young people to the benefit of self-discipline and teamwork.  

For more information about The Rona Trust and the Atlantic Challenge visit  http://www.ronatransat.org

So why do I need your help?

All our sail training yachts are worked hard each year. We take the opportunity of a Transatlantic Race to complete a major refit, initially for the race but also to ensure 10 more years of service at home. To do this we need to raise £250,000, half of which the crew members commit to raising themselves. 

My goal is to raise £3,000 and I hope you will help me by making a donation.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Rona Trust gets your money faster and, if you’re a taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor me now!