When Josie Phillips (27) and her husband Roger sail their yacht Nordlys into Arbroath tomorrow, the marina won’t be welcoming ordinary sailors.
Cancer sufferer Josie, a doctor at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, has set herself a challenge with three primary objectives sail anti-clockwise around the coast of Britain, raise awareness of brain tumours and, at the same time, collect around £20,000 through sponsorship for Brain Tumour Research.
They are posting regular updates on their progress on their website and Twitter.
Jim McGugan, a brain tumour survivor of some 18 years, will welcome Josie to Arbroath as a representative from the Scottish charity Brain Tumour Action.
“I congratulate Josie,” Jim said. “She is a lady to be saluted. Her determination to challenge the condition whilst raising funds for brain tumour research is very admirable and I hope she raises a lot of money.”
Josie’s challenge comes after being diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2004, following five years of unexplained symptoms. In September 2008 Josie faced devastating news when it was discovered that the tumour was malignant.
Her prognosis then was given as between 12 to 15 months to live. But Josie and Roger, who has just completed a PhD, were determined to make the most of life.
They began to focus on a challenge for when she was sufficiently healthy to sail 2000 miles around the coast of Britain.
Having set out from their home port of Ipswich on May 15, Josie and Roger’s planned route is up the east coast, calling in at Eyemouth, Arbroath and Inverness.Beautiful sceneryThey will then pass along the Caledonian Canal, enjoying the beautiful scenery, as well as spectacular views of Ben Nevis and the marvels of Neptune’s Staircase of eight locks, before reaching Fort William and Oban.
Using the Caledonian Canal has made this voyage around Britain possible as it enables the couple to avoid the long and often hazardous route round the far north of Scotland.
The couple will then head south through the Irish Sea and around the south coast of England, arriving back at Ipswich.
Subject to the weather, they expect to complete the challenge in around four months.
Marinas are helping them to minimise expenses by providing free berthing and many companies are offering the loan or gift of specialist equipment and clothing.
All other costs are being covered by Josie and Roger and any donations made will go directly to the Brain Tumour Research charity.
Josie said, “Brain tumours can affect anyone, and there is no way of preventing them because their cause is unknown.
“Living with an incurable disease is extremely difficult I try to carry on as normally as possible. We hope that funding for brain tumour research will give hope to others in the future.”
You can support Josie’s fundraising efforts by visiting her JustGiving page, and follow the couple’s progress on their website or Twitter.