QUADRIPLEGIC FORCED TO HALT RECORD-BREAKING ATTEMPT

Hilary Lister has had to finally face the reality that she will be unable to complete her attempt to sail solo around the British Isles this year, aiming to become the first female quadriplegic to complete such a feat.

Hilary and her team have been beset by problems since setting sail from Dover on 16 June 2008, with bad weather, technical issues with the boats, and injuries to crew members all hampering progress.

Being so far behind schedule, and having reached Newlyn in Cornwall , Hilary and the team last weekend made the difficult decision to halt this year's attempt but have resolved to complete the journey next year, in the late spring.

The feeling of huge frustration and disappointment is compounded by the fact that, despite the view that Hilary's health or sailing abilities might be the main barriers to successfully completing the challenge, neither of these issues has proven to be a limiting factor; Hilary has once again demonstrated amazing resilience and strength of character.

Project Manager, Toby May, said: “Hilary's boat, the Artemis 20, has been sailed under testing conditions. The boat is being used like a cruising yacht, making passages in open water, and although she has generally stood up well, the nature of the demands made on her has meant that she has required more than ‘running repairs'. The integrated navigation and control system is a combination of off the shelf items and custom built electronics. As a system, it is still in development and working in what, for electronics, is a hostile environment. The weather has often stopped us sailing and this has been an added frustration. When we have sailed we have made the passages that were planned within the rules Hilary had set herself.”

Hilary and the team have been overwhelmed by the support, assistance, and good wishes of all they have met on their journey so far; harbour staff, local service providers, members of the general public and, not least, the Lions Clubs of British Isles and Ireland. The Lions have been incredibly helpful and supportive throughout, having to deal with frequent, often last-minute, changes of plan and providing invaluable assistance around the route. Immense thanks go to all concerned, not only those whose efforts we were able to acknowledge in person, but those further around the planned route who we have not managed to get to.

Hilary said: “I am obviously extremely disappointed and incredibly frustrated that we have not been able to complete the sail this year; it seems that the fates have conspired against us but I am now ever more determined to go again next year. We always said that every mile we sailed would be an achievement in its own right and we have to try and take some positives from this year's efforts. I have enjoyed the wonderful experience of night sailing and the tranquillity and sense of freedom that brings. I also feel incredibly privileged and proud to have been supported by such a wonderful crew who, despite extremely testing conditions and circumstances, continued to show commitment and resilience of the highest order. I have also been overwhelmed by the support provided by my fellow Lions; it was always a pleasure upon entering a strange port to find a local lion or two amongst the welcoming party – often at some ungodly hour. I would to thank them for their patience and hope we will meet the remaining clubs around the route next year. We have also generated significant public and media awareness of the event and the charity, Hilary's Dream Trust, to which numerous donations have now been made; I would like to personally thank everybody who has kindly made a donation”

Hilary's efforts have continued to be supported by her launch partners, Artemis and Pindar, and sponsors and particular thanks go to the Rogers Yacht Design team, to Steve Alvey , and to VizualMarine who have helped at short notice and often at great personal inconvenience. Special mention must also go to Raymarine, Ocean Safety, Marathon Leisure, and Musto, for their technical and product support, and to other project supporters Kent Sports Development Unit, THB Clowes, Olive Group, Glenn Gilbert at Cobra CMS, OneSails, Grapefruit Graphics, and others. Without their invaluable assistance, Hilary would not even have made it this far and we know they will be as disappointed as Hilary and the team that we have had to halt this year's attempt. We sincerely hope that they may be able to continue to support us next year.

The up to date news and status of the project will continue to be posted on the website at www.hilarylister.com and we will need to maintain our fund-raising efforts to promote the charity, Hilary's Dream Trust .

Despite the huge disappointment, Hilary remains philosophical: “I was under no illusion that this was going to be easy and the trials and tribulations of the past few months have certainly tested our resolve. Over the course of the next few months, we will be taking what we have learned and prepare for next year's trip around the remainder of the coast of Britain – salt encrusted and a little wiser.”

For further information please contact:

St Dunstans Cadet Archery Challenge

Romney Marsh Air Cadets are taking the sponsored St Dunstan's Cadet Challenge to raise awareness in the community of St Dunstan’s.

St Dunstan's helps blind crown personnel - including fire fighters and police officers, whether still serving or retired.

On November 4 the cadets are doing blind archery for this year’s challenge. They will be shooting blindfolded with six blind St Dunstan’s archers on the Marsh Academy Sports Field New Romney, from 10.30/11.00 hrs-15.00hrs.

There will be an area for spectators and supporters, all community support from Romney Marsh is welcome, even for a short period. All sponsorship will go to St Dunstan’s, which is a charity.

Five Romney Marsh Bowmen are training the cadets, led by archery coach Ray Axford. The cadets will work in teams and shooters and spotters will cover thirteen miles walking to and from the targets.

More injured soldiers are being sent home with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, a St Dunstaner said for every soldier that is killed there are usually several injured who don’t make the news.

St Dunstan's provides training for these blind personnel, this includes IT, business, craft skills and sports coaching. Gadgets include a speaking co lour sensor ensuring matching clothes, speaking mobile phones, and computer software.

Injured blinded personnel are visited in hospital by a St Dunstan's representative who gives them Braille or speaking watch, providing the independence of not having to ask the time.

For more information on the event please contact Paul Panton

Double Gold for Brown at Archery World Championships

Young British archer Danielle Brown (Lothersdale, Yorkshire) has moved one step closer to Paralympic qualification by winning two gold medals on her world championship debut.

The 19-year-old student fired a new world record in the individual women’s open compound event at the IPC Archery World Championships to take the gold ahead of fellow Brit Mel Clarke (Norwich, Norfolk) in silver medal spot. GB’s Pippa Britton (Newport, Gwent) also put in a top performance but just missed the podium and finished fourth with her score of 1318.

The trio then teamed up to take Britain’s second gold in the women’s open compound team competition ahead of Japan in silver and Russia with bronze.

There was then also a bronze medal for Paralympian Kathy Critchlow-Smith (Abingdon, Oxfordshire), Kate Murray (Hawick, Roxburghshire) and Kay Lucas (Ludlow, Shropshire) who teamed up in the women’s recurve team competition, finishing third behind China with the gold and the Czech Republic with silver.

Meanwhile Britain’s men’s recurve team of Alan Wood (Bookham, Surrey), Mick Beard (Gloucester, Gloucestershire) and Noel Parker (Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire) just missed out on bronze finishing fourth behind China, Spain and France. And there was a fifth place finish in the men’s open compound team competition for Brits Fred Stevens (Hinckley, Leicestershire), John Murray (Sanquhar, Dumfriesshire) and John Stubbs (Warrington, Cheshire).

Elsewhere in the individual competitions, Kathy Critchlow-Smith finished sixth in the W2 women’s recurve, Fred Stevens finished sixth in the men’s open compound and Paralympic champion John Cavanagh (London) finished eighth in the W1 men’s compound.

In the visual impaired classification, which is not currently included in the Paralympic Games, Britain also performed well with Steve Prowse firing 972 to take the gold.

These performances saw Britain finish third in the medal table at the championships, which was an opportunity to secure qualification slots for the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.

The 2007 IPC Archery World Championships took place in Cheongju, Korea from October 2 to 10.

The British Paralympic Association is supported by Lottery funding through UK Sport.

For further information about the British Paralympic Association, please contact Sian Davies in the Press Office on 0207 211 5240 or 07721 892686 or by email at sian.davies@paralympics.org.uk. For news updates visit the BPA website at www.paralympics.org.uk

Tree Jumpers Adventure Centres

Tree Jumpers is dedicated to giving the best Outdoor Adventure, fun and education.

Whether you visit as a school,youth group or as an individualon a summer camp, you can be certain that Treejumpers will give you the time of your life in a safe environment.

Treejumpers offer activities from Quad Biking, Aerial Adventure to survival and have centres in Longfield and Paddock Wood, as well as others out of the the Country.

Treejumpers also have a development Charity to provide disadvantaged organisations,schools,children and care homes with activity sessions Free at the point of application (criteria applies)

To apply for funding to enable your group to participate please contact Kevin at Tree jumpers or call Kevin on

0800 056 047

The London Sailing Project (Rhona Trust)

The London Sailing Project have a few spaces left for visually impaired people to sail onboard Donald Searle, a 75ft Ketch for the weekend of the 5th October 2007.

The weekend includes entry into the small ships race organized by the Association of Sail Training Organizations. Race rules require all crew to be aged between 18 and 25 years old. No experience needed just a willingness to be part of a team and get involved both on and below deck.

If you are or know of a young visually impaired person who would like the challenge then please contact Ann on 01489 885098 or e mail ann@ronantrust.com

World Hancycling comes to Kent

On Sunday the 7th July 0749 elite disabled Athletes from around the World traveled to Kent to take part in the John Rudd Memorial Race at Fowlemead Country Park, Nr Deal Kent.

Among the riders attending were representatives the GB team, Hong Kong, Australia, Poland Switzerland and Germany

The riders stayed at Canterbury University and competed in a 35K time trial around the circuit. On Sunday the 8th July the riders were taken to Hyde Park in London to participate in a road race around the park which formed part of the London Cycling Festival surrounding the Tour De France.

The race was organized in partnership between the World Handcycling Federation and the Kent Outdoor Pursuits Disability Project and was grateful to have Dame Tanni Grey-Thomson attend.

All the riders attending enjoyed the circuit at Fowlmead Country Park and the project will be working to attract a similar event in 2010.

Fowlmead Country Park is open at the weekends for use and can be found by following these directions

There are many opportunities to participate in cycling please visit Disability Cycling For projects developed by the Kent Outdoor Pursuits Project. For further information on Handcycling in the UK please visit Handcycling UK

Hilary Lister Round Britain Dream

Hilary Lister, a quadriplegic sailor from Kent, made history by becoming the first ever quadriplegic to sail solo across the English Channel. Able to move only her head, eyes and mouth she overcame severe physical pain to navigate her boat unaided through one of the busiest and most treacherous shipping lanes in the world. The remarkable feat also saw Hilary enter the record books for completing the world's longest solo sail by a quadriplegic.

Hilary left Dover at 8.26am on Tuesday 23rd August alone in her 26 foot Soling keelboat, named “Malin”, and took a total of 6 hours and 13 minutes using a "sip and puff" steering method to sail the 22 miles before crossing the finish line in Calais at 2.39pm (BST)

Following her success in sailing the English Channel single-handed, Hilary has set herself a new challenge, to sail round the British Isles. She plans to undertake this adventure, ‘Hilary Lister’s Round Britain Dream’ in the summer of 2007, and the circumnavigation is expected to take up to three months. Hilary will sail around the coast of Britain (via the Caledonian Canal) in an anti-clockwise direction in short day sails, stopping in numerous towns and cities along the way. Hilary and the team intend to stop for longer periods in various towns and cities to showcase Hilary’s adventure, aiding her vision to raise awareness of disabled sailing.

Hilary continues to sail regularly at Westbere Lake, near her home in Kent, where her sailing career started out. She also undertakes a number of speaking engagements and motivational talks, spreading her story and infectious enthusiasm to thousands.

Hilary is actively looking for support for her next project, which she intends will leave a legacy for disabled people for years to come. To offer Hilary your support, please visit www.hilarylister.com

Thanks to Mark Lloyd for supplying the photos

Blind World Record Holder for Speed Skiing Helps Kent's Special Schools

DATE: 21st September 2006.
LOCATION: John Nike Leisure Sport, Alpine Park Ski Center, Capstone Road, Gillingham, Kent ME7 3JH.

Kevin Alderton the Downhill World record holder for Visually Impaired Speed Skiing for will be promoting the sport to special schools across the county. Kevin who lives in Dartford, Kent, has only 4% vision and is planning further record attempts.

Kevin will be running sessions with the Kent Outdoor Pursuits Disability Project, which is funded by Sport England and based at the Kent County Council Sports Development Unit.

The first session will be held at John Nike Leisure Sport, Alpine Park Ski Center,
Capstone Road, Gillingham, Kent ME7 3JH on the 21st September between 10.30 –
12.00
The session will comprise of a motivational speech by Kevin showing slides and video footage of his successful world record attempt followed by a session on the slope for the 25 young people attending from a local special school.

Kevin, known as “Cannonball”, wants young people and the staff attending to be inspired by the visit to do something they would not normally do. He also hopes that by working with the Center and the Kent Outdoor Pursuits Disability Project he can enable the young people access to the sport on a more regular basis.

Kent County Council Lead Member for Sport, Jeff Curwood, will be attending the event and said “It is a remarkable achievement from a Kent resident to achieve this World record. It commands all of us to re- think our views on disability and shows that disabled people can live exciting and challenging lives. Hopefully through running these sessions for young people Kevin and the Kent Outdoor Pursuit Disability Project can continue to inspire and develop world record holders of the future”

Medway Council Portfolio holder for Community Services Cllr Howard Doe said “I am delighted that Kevin Alderton is visiting Medway and his success in overcoming his disability and becoming a world class skier will be an inspiration to all those faced with similar disadvantages. Many local people already appreciate this great ski facility and I hope still more will try their hand at this exiting sport.”

Visit www.nosightnofear.com to read more information about Kevin and the team. For Kevin's monthly newsletter please follow

Cannonball News

Kent Gliding Club

Kent Gliding Club was awarded £16,000 from High Flight, British Airways.
The money will be used to enable people with a disability the opportunity to experience the sport and the club is already taking bookings for 2007.

Last year many disabled people enjoyed the opportunity. The Kent Outdoor Pursuit Disability project is currently working to assist development of the club to create further opportunities for participation, and assist in raising the required funding for this development.

For further information on these opportunities please contact Paul Panton
or visit the Kent Gliding Club website by clicking on the link below
http://www.chrysalis-cs.com/~kgc/index.php

The British Disabled Flying Association aims to provide opportunities in aviation for disabled people.

Through close relationships with the aviation community, the BDFA introduces disabled people to the wonders of flight, promotes flying as a source of rehabilitation and an aid to gaining confidence, self-esteem and independence.   By working with EU aviation and medical regulators, the BDFA has also been able to help those with physical impairments to achieve both private and commercial pilots' licence's.

Flying is one of the few activities where disabled people can participate to the same degree as a non-disabled person.   Once airborne all the limitations of life on the ground disappear and it is possible for anyone to feel the sense of freedom that flying brings.

Earlier this year Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson became a patron of the BDFA

To find out about membership, sponsorship, or simply to learn more about the BDFA go to www.bdfa.net

or email:  info@bdfa.net

You may also like to contact Aviation for Paralegics and Tetraplegics Trust ( founded in 1994). Telephone ;- 01722 410744

website ;- www.disabledflying.org

Flying Scholarship for the Disabled (FSD) are inviting applications for the 2008FSD Scholarships.

Deadline; 4th January, 2008.

For an application form conact Sue Whitby

tel;- 0870 800 1942

www.toreachforthesky.org.uk

www.toreachforthesky.org