Charity circumnavigation 'Laser around the UK 3' about to begin
by Andrew Hill-Smith 8 Apr 2023 23:35 NZST
10 April 2023
Andrew Hill-Smith setting off on his circumnavigation to raise money for charity © Andrew Hill-Smith
Easter Monday is launch day, from Stokes Bay sailing club. 'Laser around the UK 3' says it all with Andrew Hill-Smith setting off in this lesser-known circumnavigation craft to travel round the UK, solo and unsupported, following in the footsteps of Ron Pattenden and more recently Neil Peters (AKA Stick Daring), hence the '3'.
Andrew, also known as the "shrink in the drink" has recently retired from NHS work but plans to get back into practice after this adventure. A crazy trip feels like a necessary respite from years of clinical work.
His home sailing club is Papercourt and being a small inland lake, does not give much opportunity for exposure to waves, so the journey will be a challenge, not to mention all the luggage problems. But luckily it is not a race and there will be time to build confidence, which is scheduled to take about 6 months.
Going east is better for beaches and therefore a bigger range of landing spots which will also help.
Andrew is raising money for charities and any donation to one of the chosen causes - Andrew Simpson Foundation, Place2Be, or Motor Neurone Disease association - would be much appreciated. The links to Just Giving pages, social media, Youtube and GPS tracking are all on the website www.laseraroundtheuk3.uk
If you see him on the water do give a shout out or a hello if you are in the same place at the same time - encouragement is always welcome.
Many thanks everyone!