Abta LifeLine has launched a fundraising appeal to help travel agent Bridget Keevil, who is giving up her career to sail round the world in aid of the charity for a year.
The charity is urging members of the trade to do their bit by donating £20 for a day of her year-long challenge to help her meet her target of £5,000. Keevil is at sea for 237 days so £20 a day would raise £4,740.
Keevil, who has raised £500 so far, is also running a fundraising lunch, raffle and auction, with prizes donated by around 20 travel companies including Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, Classic Collection, Sandals, Funway, Premier Holidays, Leger Holidays and Beachcomber Tours to raise £1,500 before her departure from St Katharine Docks in London on August 30.
The travel agent, who owns Travel Stop travel agencies in Elmswell, Claydon and Hadleigh, is also appealing for tour operators, tourist boards and travel companies interested in hosting the crew at ports on excursions or for meals. In return she will write about any tours or experiences in her blog, thefatbirdandtheboat.wordpress.com.
Keevil, whose boat has been sponsored by the Vietnamese city Da Nang, has so far been offered a walking tour in Hoi An by Indus Travels & Tours and is looking into excursion opportunities with Cruising Excursions.
Keevil remains nervous about the trip, which involves swapping her day job as a travel agent to work on board the Clipper yacht with a 19-strong crew. The first leg is from London to Rio in Brazil.
She said: “I have done a four week course and I now know the basics – like hanging on for dear life! I am hoping the others will be a lot more competent than me. I am currently planning all the menus and sourcing the food – I am quite happy to bake the bread and make the tea!”
Anyone who wants to donate towards Bridget’s target can text CLIP15 followed by the amount you want to donate to 70070. Donations are capped at £10 per text.