Unicef fundraising exceeds £100,000 mark

Just two months into our eleven month global endurance we are very proud to announce we have already raised an incredible £100,000 for Official Race Charity Unicef, the world’s leading children’s organisation.

Clipper Race Co-Founder and CEO William Ward said: “A huge thanks to all Clipper Race crew and supporters for their incredible efforts. We are really proud to reach this fundraising milestone, which equates to a third of our £300,000 target for our Official Race Charity Unicef so early on in the race.

“Not only are our crew achieving inspiring results whilst racing the world’s oceans but through their fantastic fundraising for Unicef, they are also helping make our planet a safer place for children as they go. We look forward to celebrating many more fundraising milestones as we continue to build a powerful future together which now also includes the Clipper 2017-18 Race.”

The Clipper Race gifted Unicef the opportunity to have a Race Team this year to mark the tenth edition of the race. Coincidentally, surpassing the £100,000 mark happened on the same day Unicef held a sail day for some young people from their Sports for Development, Youth Leadership projects. These programmes were established to inspire young people to have a voice, take responsibility for their actions, and actively participate in sport and youth development programmes within their school. The overall goal is to reduce the reported incidence of violence, substance abuse, teenage pregnancy and truancy (high risk behaviour) amongst high school learners.

Calin Cable and Karen Damons now play netball everyday thanks to a scheme set up in their area and both were on board Unicef for the sail day in Table Bay, learning the ropes from Unicef Skipper Jim Prendergast. The youngsters were given a flavour of life on board and were able to quiz round the world crew members about their adventures.

Afterwards Calin said: “This was the first time I’ve ever been on a racing yacht and they first thing I thought was that we would fall over, but I didn’t have to worry at all, it was cool. My favourite activity was using the grinder. My dreams are to finish school, to continue my studies at university level and not go wrong way. I want to become a chef and netball coach. I want to make something of my life.”

Karen, whose dream is to become an accountant added: “It was so much fun getting to go out on the boat today, we would never have had this opportunity if it wasn’t for Unicef. They have helped us feel safe in our community and now we get to play netball everyday. We would both definitely love to go sailing again. I really enjoyed driving the boat.”

Catherine Cottrell, Unicef UK’s Deputy Executive Director, said: “Raising £100,000 is a fantastic achievement so soon into the race and it will make a huge difference to the lives of children around the world. We are extremely grateful to the Clipper Race crew and supporters for this incredible effort and look forward to seeing what else they achieve throughout the rest of the race.”

Clipper Race crew and supporters have been getting involved in all sorts of fundraising activities, including; personal sponsorship, crew departure parties, designing and making team supporter wristbands, and holding auctions.

As if competing in the race was not challenge enough, some crew are incorporating their sail racing with other endurance activities in support of Unicef. IchorCoal crew member Sean Lee is running a half-marathon in each of the 14 race ports around the world; LMAX Exchange crew member Karen Weston is running 20 kilometres miles every day for nine months to make up the 5,400km length of her American coast to coast leg which will go from Seattle to New York via the Panama Canal; and in December, Unicef crew member Marta Michalska will cycle the 1300km length of the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race on a static exercise bike in Sydney, before then sailing in the race a few days later.

Clipper Race staff are also helping to raise vital funds, for example, Digital Manager Paul Hankey and Crew Recruitment Director David Cusworth cycled 260 miles from London to Plymouth after the 2015-16 Race Start, and Finance Administrator James Wood is aiming to run 1,000 miles during the eleven month race duration, with many others entering various cycle and running races in support.

To get involved and donate to the Clipper 2015-16 Race please click here.