Thanks so much for visiting my fundraising page!

On 13 September 2009, I will be leaving 7 years of London and the law behind, as I set off from Hull (of all the glamorous locations - I know - but bear with me, it just gets better!) on the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race! www.clipperroundtheworld.com

In my usual all or nothing way, I am going to complete a circumnavigation of the globe under sail - stopping off in Rio de Janeiro, Singapore, Qingdao, California, Panama, New York, Nova Scotia and Cork (amongst others!) and arriving back in Hull 10 months later, in July 2010! But before you get the wrong idea, this is not a cruise! It is a full-on, hard core race!

10 IDENTICAL 68' OCEAN RACING YACHTS. 35,000 MILES. 14 RACES. 5 CONTINENTS. 1 WINNER. 110 round the worlders, 300 leggers, 150,000 tea bags, 17 miles of toilet paper, 4 hour watches, 1 shower a week (if we're lucky!)...

No cocktails on the deck (no alcohol on board at all!), no hairdressers, no nail bar, no Selfridges food hall - so why (so many of you have asked!) am I doing it?! Because it is the challenge of a lifetime - and I can't wait!

Making it all worthwhile

I have paid the full cost of the race myself, but through my race I have a once in a lifetime opportunity to raise money to help the amazing work of The Smile Train, a very special charity that I have supported personally for years. Now, with your help, I can give so much more.

The Smile Train is dedicated to one thing - free cleft lip and palate surgery for children in 75 of the world's poorest countries. Surgery costs just £159 per child, and takes only 45 minutes to change a child's life forever.

It is my ambition to raise enough to pay for surgery for 110 children (one for each of the 110 amateur round the worlders on the Race - or if you prefer, just 50p for every mile we will sail).

I know this is a big target, but it is a big thing you are sponsoring me to do! As Sir Robin Knox-Johnson is always telling the crew - "twice as many people have climbed Mount Everest as have sailed around the world".

So please, please give generously! And when I am freezing cold, soaking wet, sea sick and exhausted, I will know it is all for a fantastic cause!

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Smile Train 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.