Duo battle wild seas to raise thousands
AFTER more than ten weeks at sea battling the wild waves two life-long friends have raised thousands of pounds for a local charity.
Vince Spooner, 62, from Harrogate and Malcolm Walker, 70, from Collingham have collected more than 7,000 for Clifford-based Martin House Hospice by sailing anticlockwise around the UK in a small boat.
The daring pair set off from Hull Marina in Mr Spooner's Anita 'A' 1971 Contessa 26 at the end of May and, despite battling gale force eight winds and sea-sickness, have returned unscathed to tell their tale.
Mr Spooner, an experienced sailor, says the strength of public support from all over the country has been particularly overwhelming.
The pair have also managed to raise 3,000 for the Royal National Lifeboat Institute.
Mr Spooner said: "People have been so generous and have been prepared to donate money to the charity the whole time.
"I would definitely do the trip again although my wife really missed me - it was fantastic and I have so many memories to take away."
The intrepid adventure was completed two weeks ahead of schedule but Mr Spooner says there were a fair few stormy moments along the way.
The notoriously choppy waters of the Pentland Firth presented a challenge he says - the narrow channel that separates the Orkney Islands from Caithness in the north of Scotland.
And the tricky corner of Cape Wrath - the top left point of Scotland - was also literally a black spot as the boat sailed around it battling huge waves at night.
But there were plenty of positive highlights too including the amazing coastline views, wildlife and seeing the beached MSC Napoli off Beer Head on the East Devon coast.
"We also saw hundreds and hundreds of dolphins from the boat - it was incredible," he added.
Now the trip's over Mr Spooner says it's back to work for him at his Harrogate-based building company.
But you can visit www.co26-around-uk.co.uk to email him about his trip or make a final Martin House donation.
susannah.berry@ypn.co.uk
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Weather for Harrogate
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
