Retired teacher Ray Oliver, 67, is to cruise, with crew, around Britain to raise money for three charities. He will set off from Lymington on 26 April in Christine-Marie, his Westerly Tempest, fin keeler.

He will sail anticlockwise around the UK raising cash for the mental health charity Rethink, Marie Curie Cancer Care and the RNLI.

‘From an early age I had always loved being on or by the sea and later enjoyed the times spent cruising with my son and daughter, Keith and Anne, on a motor boat I owned at the time. When out on the boat, I would often look at the sailing yachts and admire their skills and use of natural power. I wanted to learn to sail safely, to buy my own yacht and cruise’.

It’s a dream Ray has now realised. Following Anne’s tragic death at the age of 18 after three years of mental illness, Ray is now determined to raise money in her name.

To make a donation please contact:

Rethink, Tel: 0208 547 9201, 0208 547 Email: 3862Natasha.Coleman@rethink.org

Marie Curie Cancer Care: Tel: 02380 263123, Email: wendy.savage@mariecurie.org.uk

RNLI Tel: 01825 761466, Fax: 01825 768093, E-Mail: ljackson@rnli.org.uk