The Challenge
Project Fear is my attempt to become the first disabled person to complete a solo, non-stop and unassisted circumnavigation of the UK and Ireland in a sailing boat.
The sailing route
I will set sail from Brighton, UK on 2nd June 2025, heading west around the coast of the British Isles. The route is expected to take anywhere between 4-8 weeks, sailing around Ireland, Scotland, then the east of England before sailing back around the south coast and returning to Brighton. During the trip I will sail in the English Channel, the Irish Sea, the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea.
About Me
I am living with a progressive genetic condition called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a debilitating genetic condition that means I am a full-time wheelchair user. It has also led to further physical complications that means my condition is terminal.
Rather than allow this condition to take away my strength and spirit, being sailing obsessed I have decided to fight back with determination to keep sailing no matter what.
I am seeking to raise £30,000 for Newhaven and Seaford Sailability, an organisation that enables other people with disabilities to get sailing, by breaking all records as the first disabled person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around the UK and Ireland.
The world spends an increasing amount of time telling us what we can’t do; whether that be because we have a disability or are female or come from a difficult background. Project Fear is about showing that anything is possible. With a bit of imagination and a lot of hard work, there is no limit to what we are capable of.
My mission
1/ Create Opportunities
I believe in a world where there are more yes’s than no’s. I have chosen to give my record-breaking sailing attempt the name ‘Project FEAR’. As an acronym it sands for that while FEAR could mean ‘Forget Everything and Run’, I want to show the world that when faced with difficult challenges, it is better to ‘Face Everything and Rise’.
2/ Raise Awareness
I want to educate people about the reality of living with a life limiting disability, and raise awareness about Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
3/ Break Boundaries
I want to prove that disability is not a limitation instead it can be the driving force.