A few years ago I developed throat cancer, but with the help of healthcare workers and scientists I have recovered. However, I feel indebted to those dedicated and hard working individuals and I would like, in a small way, to do something to prevent future generations suffering this dreadful affliction.
My aim, this Summer when the weather permits, is to sail my ten and a half foot Mirror dinghy from the Isles of Scilly to Marazion in west Cornwall, UK. I will be accompanied by my crew, 16 year old Beth White. I am now 82 and I believe that we will be the oldest and the youngest crew in the smallest sailing boat ever to attempt the 40 mile crossing.
Please help me to help Cancer Research UK.
LATEST NEWS:
25 June 2008 - Current plans are to set sail on Friday 25 July 2008 or as soon afterwards as weather and other safety considerations permit.
12 July 2008 - Today we carried out successful sea trials in Mount's Bay with the support team. We practised radio and other safety procedures, towing, capsizing, boat to boat transfers, etc. All went very well.
21 July 2008 - Beth and I took the Mirror to St. Mary's, Isles of Scilly, on the Scillionian III. Many thanks to the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company for providing us with free passage.
23 July 2008 - This evening we had our final briefing and a discussion about the weather/visibility outlook. We agreed to go out to St. Mary's on the support RIB on Thursday 24 July in the afternoon and probably make the voyage back on Saturday 26 July, but we will keep the weather forecasts under constant review.
24 July 2008 - Leave Newlyn at 14:30hrs by RIB. Arrive St. Mary's 16:20hrs. At 22:30hrs take final decision to set off early on 25 July 2008.
25 July 2008 - Leave St. Mary's 7:10hrs. ARRIVE MARAZION 17:17 hrs. WE HAVE DONE IT.
Our voyage was a real challenge, which both Beth and I enjoyed immensely. Beth said afterwards "It was an incredible experience to be mid-ocean in a mirror dinghy with no land in sight in any direction". I could not have put it better myself.
We would like to thank:
- all who donated generously to the appeal and for their good wishes
- our wonderful support team, without whom we could not have succeeded
- all those who donated services such as travel, accommodation, insurance, website, escort safety craft etc. ensuring that every penny given goes directly to Cancer Research UK, with no deduction for expenses
28 July 2008 - We have had such a good response to our sail we have upped our target to £3,000. Please help us to achieve it! 22 August 2008 - The response to our sail has astonished us with people still coming forward to donate, so we have upped our target again to £4,000. Please help us to achieve it! 14 September 2008 - We have now reached our revised target of £4,000. Thank you so much to everyone who has donated or helped in other ways. But please don't stop now; who knows what we might yet raise?
Best wishes
Tony Clee
