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News & Events > Media Releases > Lion Hilary's solo trip around the British Isles and Ireland
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Lion Hilary's solo trip around the British Isles and Ireland
Wednesday 13 August: The decision to halt the sail is publicly announced. Hilary and the crew have now returned to Dover. Although hugely disappointed and frustrated that Hilary has been unable to achieve her dream this year, much credit must go to her and the team for what they have achieved under very difficult circumstances.
Follow this link to read report from Chichester and Southbourne Lions Clubs as they welcomed Lion Hilary at Hayling Island. Follow this link to read Lion Hilary's progress & news updates. Lion Hilary Lister, from Canterbury, Kent, was cheered on by friends and family as her specially adapted yacht was towed out of Dover harbour into open water at 3:00pm on Monday 16th June to begin her round Britian solo trip in sea conditions described as "ideal". Hilary uses a "sip-and-puff" system of straws to control her boat with breath. She has no movement below her neck and operates the sails and tiller of Artemis 20 with the system. 
Despite spending six months preparing for the voyage, problems with the boat's electronics delayed her, and there were more complications when the mast broke. Before setting off, Lion Hilary said she was confident nothing else could go wrong. "We've broken everything that can be broken, and everything that could have gone wrong has gone wrong, so we've got to be OK now," she said. "I feel excited, nervous and scared. I'm just desperate to get started now". Lion Hilary has been paralysed for seven years as a result of a progressive degenerative disease, reflex sympathetic dystrophy. She became the first quadriplegic sailor to cross the English Channel in 2005 and circumnavigated the Isle of Wight in July last year. The latest journey is expected to take three to four months in a series of day sails on the Irish Sea, the North Sea and the English Channel. She will spend up to 18 hours on the water, sailing on average four out of every seven days. Hilary’s progress may be tracked from her website and updates on her route and itinerary will be posted on a regular basis. You can also keep up-to-date with Hilary's blogs. You can help Hilary get to the start line by making a donation to Hilary's Round Britain Dream Fund. Hilary has also set up her own charity known as Hilary's Dream Trust. Lions Clubs in the British Isles and Ireland are one of the Project Partners and are providing support to Hilary’s project by way of organising local facilities on the route. |
