This Autumn, after almost 40 years caring for sick and injured animals I will take a break from work and set sail on a 70ft yacht, racing 9 others with Clipper Round the World. We will leave Portsmouth on August 31st, sail down the Noth Atlantic, across the equator, onwards down the South Atlantic to Uruguay. From there we will sail across to Capetown in South Africa and then I will fulfill a lifetime ambition of sailing the Southern Ocean, the most remote and often most angriest waters on the planet. Landfall will be Western Australia in time for Christmas, and then in June 2026, we will sail West to East across the N Atlantic for the home waters of Oban in Scotland and across the finish line in Portsmouth.

As western government's cut overseas aid budgets, it is so important that those who are privileged enough try and make a small difference in saving and improving the lives of children who are suffering across the globe. Unicef is therefore our chosen charity and I would ask that you donate generously to help us raise a significant amount. If we don't win the yacht race, help us win the fundraising race and make a difference along the way.

UNICEF has been both a Charity and Team Partner for the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race since the 2015-16 edition and during this time has raised £1.6 million for children around the world.

UNICEF has 15,000 people working for children in more than 190 countries, responding to emergencies and building long-term resilience. We save children's lives with vaccines, clean water, and therapeutic food. We protect children from violence, exploitation, and abuse. We empower children through quality education. And we seek to create a safe and sustainable world where children can live, learn and grow.

Every pound you raise will make a difference to every child, every day, everywhere.

- A donation of £165 could buy a wheelchair for a child with limited mobility

- A donation of £275 could buy a midwifery kit containing all of the medicines, medical supplies and sterilisation equipment for a maternity ward to support the delivery of 50 babies