Sailor Micahel Goodwin is setting out on a circumnavigation of the UK to raise money for charity. Michael, 59, whose son Daniel has cystic fibrosis, will leave Southampton in May this year in support of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Along with friend and co-owner of the Bavaria 37 Blue Star, Roger Colmer, they will sail to the north of Scotland this summer, and will complete the round trip via Orkney and the Irish Sea back to the Solent in 2016. ‘I am really looking forward to navigating the UK coastline whilst raising funds,’ said Michael. He hopes to raise over £6,000 in the process.

Michael, a recently retired professor at Staffordshire University, and Roger, a semi-retired Chartered Engineer, are inviting family and friends to join them for various legs of the circumnavigation on Blue Star, and to make a donation to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust as they do so. Michael’s wife Diane will be joining them for the Caledonian Canal leg of the voyage.

Michael said, ‘For someone with cystic fibrosis, Daniel is not doing to badly. Although he has a positive attitude to his condition, he battles continuously against ill health.’ Daniel is now 34 years old, but the disease can escalate critically at any point and requires constant management.

Cystic fibrosis is a life-shortening genetic condition, which causes the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, to become clogged with thick sticky mucus, resulting in chronic infections and inflammation of the lungs.  The Cystic Fibrosis Trust provides support to those with cystic fibrosis and their families and helps to drive up standards in medical care. The disease directly affects 10,000 people in the UK.

For more inforamtion about the disease visit www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk. A link to the team’s Virgin donations page can be found on the team’s website www.thebluestar.co.uk if you want to contribute to Michael and Roger’s fundraising target. Michael is also keen  to hear from businesses who would like to advertise on the yacht in return for a donation to the CF Trust, and from anyone who would like to sail with them.