Well, I did it!

For those that are not aware I have now successfully completed my challenge. I recently took part in the first 3 legs of the Clipper 2005/6 Round the World Yacht Race which took me from the UK to Australia. The race started in Liverpool in September 2005 went via Brazil and South Africa, arriving in Fremantle Australia on December the 16th 2005.

We had a great experience and the race was most definately the challenge and experience of a lifetime. It certainly lived up to all my expectations and more and we experienced our fair share of challenges and disasters along the way. We also crossed some pretty wild oceans and had some tough sailing conditions that pushed both me and our boat to the limit. If you want to know more about how we got on email me and i will send you my e postcards recording the events.

Home for the 3 months was aboard a 68ft purpose built racing yacht with between 17 and 12 other people. We started with 17 and finished with 12 (due to various reasons people retiring along the way). Untill the race training I had never done anything like this before (not even stepped aboard a sailing yacht).  I was undertaking the race for charity, RNLI and Cancer Research UK. To date i have raised in excess of £8,000 which will be split between both charities. I am in the process of collecting monies pledged off line and will update the totals once i have a clearer picture. However it is a fantastic result and I thank everyone who has been so generous as to donate. If you have not yet and would like to, I am leaving the sites open for a few more months so please feel free to give on line. 

Cancer Research UK - Everyone who is reading this site will have family or friends that have in some way been affected by cancer. Indeed members of my own family have suffered and for this reason I also want to support the Cancer Research UK in their work to find new and more effective treatments for cancer. If you wish to sponsor this charity please visit my other site at www.Justgiving.com/andybutler-cancer.

RNLI - For the last 2 years I have been a volunteer crew member on the lifeboats on the Thames. This has given me an insight into the amazing work this charity does to help preserve life and provide the UK with a first class rescue service.  Donating through these sites is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Cancer Research UK will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

If for any reason you did not receive the e postcards and would like to see them then please email me your details at andy-butler@beeb.net and i will forward these to you.

Thanks for your kind support with this venture which was the experience of a lifetime. And no I will not be doing it again!!

Andy B