Round-UK sailor blows into town

8:35am Tuesday 15th July 2008

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QUADRIPLEGIC sailor Hilary Lister sailed into Weymouth on her solo challenge around Britain in a special boat controlled only by her breath.

Mrs Lister, 36, of Dunkirk, Kent, has embarked on a charity fund-raiser to sail all the way around the coast.

She uses a sip and puff' system to control the sails and tiller.

Able only to move her head, eyes and mouth, Mrs Lister said sailing was the ultimate freedom.

She said: "It's the most incredible feeling.

"Just to be out of a wheelchair, where if I need to be moved six feet away I have to get somebody to take the brakes off and push the wheelchair round.

"On the water, I'm the boss. I'm able to choose where I want to go and go there on my own. It's indescribable."

She added: "The reason I'm doing this is to raise awareness and money for a new charity I've set up called Hilary's Dream Trust.

"The idea is disabled adults can come to us if they have a particular sailing dream and we may be able to offer advice or funding."

Mrs Lister arrived at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy on Sunday after a 13-hour sail from Lymington. The Weymouth and Portland Lions Club hosted a reception at the academy yesterday, two weeks behind schedule due to the recent extreme weather conditions.

They also donated £200 to her charity.

President of the Weymouth & Portland Lions Club, Dave Woolford said: "Despite 13 hours on the water she gave me a big smile and said thanks ever so much for organising her accommodation.

"She is some lady. To have no movement at all and to achieve what she has is just amazing."

Mrs Lister is expected to leave for Brixham today.

The total journey is expected to last three to four months.

She is accompanied on the water by a support RIB at all times, while a motor entourage provide land support.

Each day the team record Mrs Lister's finishing latitude and longitude from her GPS, so they can tow her back to exactly that point the next sailing day.

Track Mrs Lister's progress and find out more about Hilary's Dream Trust at www.hilarylister.com