Press Coverage
FAMILY FROM NORTHAMPTON ATTEMPT TO SAIL AROUND THE
UK IN 50 DAYS
On Saturday 15th July 2006, The Hill Family (Greg 46, Sue 41, Kate 12,
Sebastian, 10) from Northampton will embark upon a challenge to sail around
the UK in only 50 days, covering a distance of some 2600 nautical miles.
They will set sail from Portsmouth in their boat Blue Argolis around the UK, exploring the British coastline and learning about renewable energy, before arriving back in Portsmouth on Saturday 2nd September 2006.
The main objective is to raise money to fund some of the renewable energy projects operated by the global charity Practical Action in developing countries. The electricity on board Blue Argolis will be generated by solar, wind and hydro power sources, hence the urge to fund renewable energy projects around the world.
The Hill’s got the idea for the challenge when they answered Bob Geldofs’ rally call to embark upon a return sailing trip (Sail8) across the channel between Portsmouth to Cherbourg. The aim was to show support for the ‘Long March to Justice Campaign’ encouraging people from across Europe to make their way up to Edinburgh by Wednesday 6th July in time for the first day of the G8 Summit talks. Blue Argolis made the crossing successfully and inspired by this, the family decided to take it one step further and sail around the UK.
Their progress will be tracked on the official Sail Aid website www.sailaid.com where updates of their journey will be added daily. People are also urged to log onto the website to make a donation.
“The minority of the worlds population, i.e. the
western population, use the majority of the worlds resources.” Explained
Greg,
“On the Blue Argolis, we live on a 12volt battery system powered
by wind and solar energy sources which provides us with all of our energy
requirements – even going on the internet! We want to use this trip
will explore the use of green and renewable energy sources e.g. wind,
solar and hydro power and how they could be used in developing countries.”
For further information, please contact Greg or Sue by
mobile: by email boat@blue-argolis.com or by mobile 07775940592