Mercy Ships thanks Team Switzerland after grand total of $45,000 raised

Team Switzerland’s official charity, Mercy Ships, has wholeheartedly thanked the crew after they raised a grand total of $45,000 over the 13-14 race.

During their circumnavigation, the team raised money and awareness for the hospital ship charity with its 'Saving Lives Every Leg' campaign.

A photoshoot in the North Pacific and the waxing of a male crew member’s legs in Australia were some of the more unusual fundraising ideas that drew generous donations from fellow crew members and the public on stopovers.

The team raised enough for 30 Mercy Ships pennants in total, with each pennant symbolising a life that will be saved through surgery carried out on a hospital ship. Each pennant represented $1500 raised. Mercy Ships partners with local communities to improve health care, offering training and advice, materials and hands-on assistance in Africa and around the world.

Bryce Wagner, executive director of Mercy Ships Global, said: "As an ocean-going charity, Mercy Ships and our hospital ship's crew of maritime and medical professionals heartily congratulate the Clipper Race crew on Switzerland on both their sailing achievement as well as their fundraising for our charity.  

“Not only did they circumnavigate the world, but while doing so, Team Switzerland has raised $45,000 to date (equivalent to at least 30 life-saving reconstructive facial surgeries on board our ship) for patients in Africa who otherwise may not have received treatment. Thank you, Team Switzerland for your contribution to the hope and healing of our patients in Africa.”

On behalf of all the team, round the world crew member Chris Paxton said raising such a significant amount of money was a real achievement alongside finishing the race.

“As we went round the world, we were always very conscious we were representing Mercy Ships so we did our best to raise money and awareness. It was great to meet so many Mercy Ships representatives along the way and they were always so friendly and provided us with baskets of fruit when we arrived in port.

“As we raced, promoting Mercy Ships became bigger and bigger for us and it was great to have such a good cause in mind. Everyone should be very proud of this achievement as well as racing round the world.”

Watch the video of crew member Richard Greer's legs being waxed here.