Ever since I built a tiny Mirror dinghy with my dad, I’ve dreamed of sailing across the Atlantic. There’s something about the horizon, the wind, and the unknown that’s always pulled at me.

For years I put it off as the time wasn’t quite right, but I realise our time is finite and so this year I’m finally pursuing that lifelong dream.

And if you’re going to sail, why not race and achieve the best performance you can?

So on August 31st I’ll depart the UK in a race to Uruguay on the first leg of The Clipper Round the World challenge. Not just any crossing, but a bold, fast, team challenge over 12,000km from the northern to the southern hemisphere, crossing the equator and experiencing the raw power of nature head-on.

I’ll be living onboard with my teammates in tight quarters—bunk-hopping to sleep, cooking at 45 degrees, and spending weeks far from civilisation, surrounded by nothing but sea, sky, and wind. And of course, sailing fast to try and win!

Here’s a taste of what it may involve: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=u_l3fQ63618

This is my chosen adventure. But not everyone gets to choose their challenge.

That’s why I’m proud to be sailing in support of UNICEF, an organisation that supports some of the world’s most vulnerable children—children who face unimaginable hardships, not by choice, but by circumstance. UNICEF gives them a voice, a chance, and a future.

Please support me and Team Zav in making this crossing count for something even greater. Your donation will help change lives.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

Ian x

About UNICEF

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