Adventurers are rarely selfless souls: most have a charitable goal or are inspired to help others. This year a 2,500 mile race across the Atlantic will show that it’s not just sporting professionals taking adventure sports to another level and raising money for charity…
Setting sail across the ocean this year is James Hardiman who runs Ocean Elements, a water-sports holiday company based in Wimbledon.
James is an experienced sailor, although he’s about to get a long way out of his comfort zone. By entering the Azores and Back Race (often known as the AZAB) James is hoping to raise £5,000 for Sail for Cancer.
Leaving on 5 June, his route out will take between seven and ten days. Then after a period of maintenance, it’s back on board and back to Blighty.
‘It’s going to be a tough learning curve for me because although I’ve done a fair amount of offshore sailing in my life, I’ve never crossed an ocean, let alone raced across one! I’m looking forward to the challenge though and raising money for this important charity,’ says James.
Held every four years since the inaugural race in 1960, it’s going to be testing. And with around 60 yachts ready to take part, it will be the biggest race in the UK sailing calendar.
Sail 4 Cancer has provided nearly 6,000 waterdays out for sufferers, carers and families, and ‘ the funds he raises will be used to make a very real difference to UK families living with cancer,’ notes the charity’s chair of trustees Graham Precey.
So, while we always hear about the big name charitable trekkers and explorers, it’s always worth remembering there’s plenty more inspiring adventures going on out there!
To support James’s AZAB challenge visit http://www.sail4cancer.org/JamesAzab2011
Find out more about the race at AZAB 2011 and more about his nominated charity Sail 4 Cancer
