A Cornish sailing charity is launching a recruitment drive with a difference – to find military veterans for a section of a Round Britain expedition.
The ‘Spirit of Falmouth’ set sail from Falmouth in Cornwall in June on the Turn to Starboard Round Britain Challenge. The crew has sailed anti-clockwise around the British Isles clocking up more than 900 miles so far.
Now the charity is calling out for three more crew members to join them from July 10 to 21, for a section of the journey between Greenock and Liverpool.
A total of 38 veterans are taking part in the epic voyage for the complete expedition or shorter sections of the route.
The aim of the Round Britain Challenge is to help participants re-engage, reintegrate and gain new skills. Crew will be gaining valuable sailing miles as part of their training for Yachtmaster qualifications, others have set themselves a personal challenge as they battle with their own issues after Service life.
The charity is looking for three veterans affected by military operations to join us in a supportive environment from Greenock to Liverpool. Sailing experience is not required as guidance will be given by our highly skilled crew.
The team are living, sleeping and working on board the gaff-rigged schooner donated to the charity by The Prince’s Trust
At 92 feet, and weighing in at 81 tonnes, the vessel is as long as seven cars and weighs the equivalent of 13 killer whales. The largest sail, which the crew has to manually hoist, is as big as one-and-a-half squash courts.
Two smaller yachts are also taking part in the 200-mile expedition, to ensure a higher than expected number of applicants could participate.
Turn to Starboard is run by a group of ex-service, serving and cilvian staff and volunteers who believe that sailing has a therapeutic and calming effect on participants. They help veterans gain internationally recognised sailing qualifications to help start new careers. The organisation also offers sailing trips to Service families who have been affected by operations to spend time together on a skippered yacht.