The inagural Global Ocean Challenge, a round-the-world race in 40 and 50ft boats, is now accepting entries, and Scottish chef John Mackay is the first solo entrant from the UK to sign up.

Run by British sailors Josh Hall and Brian Hancock, it’s a race with a heart, aiming to make poverty history. Scottish sailor John Mackay plans to take his message of eradicating poverty around the world aboard a new Owen Clarke GOC 50, with tartan hull, deck and cockpit to commemorate his heritage. Mackay, a lifelong sailor who cut his teeth sailing the stormy waters off the coast of Scotland, said:

‘This race is a perfect vehicle for me to spread the word about global poverty,’ he said. ‘My message is about giving 30 million destitute people a year the chance to live.’

For more information see: www.globaloceanchallenge.com