We hope to sail to the Arctic Circle and back in 12 days this summer! This will help raise funds for the Ocean Youth Trust Scotland.

Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.

My name is David Murray, I'm married to Mhoira and we have three sons: John, Robbie and Dougal who have each personally benefitted from voyages with the Ocean Youth Trust of Scotland. Now it's time for me to try to help give something back.

I have signed on to be a galley-slave, deckhand, and general crew on the Alba Endeavour. She is a 72 foot, no-frills, round the world racing yacht. In a former life she was "Team Stelmar" and took part in the 2000 and 2004 BT Global Challenge Round the World Yacht Races. She was bought by Ocean Youth Trust Scotland last year and has been refitted to be used for their excellent youth training activities. As well as this she will also attempt to make this one-off fundraising voyage in the summer of 2009.

Stop Press: The "Sailathon" has raised over £706 and as you can see I doubled that figure on this site. (A report on the Sailthon can be found on www.lochcarronsailing.com ) Together with the many donations on this site we have surpassed the target of £3,000. But why stop here?  -- I hear that there are kids on assisted places sailing arond the Shiants (South of Stornoway) right now. Any help you can give to support these kids will be much appreciated.

Click on the video on the left if you would like to see this boat in action in extreme conditions. I feel privileged to be able to sail on such a fantastic tough boat. Hoping for some strong wind sailing --- but maybe not that strong!

The plan is to sail from Wick on 13th July heading for the Lofoten Islands which lie North of the Arctic Circle. We have to be back in Peterhead twelve days later so it should be a full-on sailing adventure (or ordeal --- who knows?)

Naturally I'm looking forward to it and therefore I pledge that I will match, pound for pound, all donations up to the target of £3,000.00. Please give what you can  --- it is an extremely worthy cause.

(The money raised will help to maintain the OYTS fleet and increase their bursary fund which means that all youngsters are able to participate.)

Thanks again,           Dave.

P.S. I think there is going to be a blog from the boat -- so you should be able to follow our progress and hear all about our adventures as we go! More details of this later.

P.P.S> We made it! It was hard work but I met a great bunch of people who pulled together and got us to the Lofotens and back. (1,925 Nautical miles in 12 days.) Many thanks to all the crew - between us we have raised about £45,000 to help support young people who would have difficulty being able to afford a trip on one of these boats. If you have yet to donate its not too late~!!!

Check out the details of the voyage here: http://www.oytscotland.org.uk/news/arctic-challenge-2009.aspx

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

So please sponsor me now!)