|
 In
June 2001 I was diagnosed as having lung cancer – quite a surprise for a
non-smoker. One third of my right lung was removed six days later.
Confirmation in April 2003 that the cancer
had returned, in both
lungs, gave me cause and time to reflect on ways to make something
positive out of this development in my life.
 At
the end of January 2005, I set sail in a Bowman 48DS
sailing yacht on a transatlantic voyage – solo – from the Canary
Islands, headed for Antigua. This was certainly not out of any long-held
ambition to cross the Atlantic, but because I hoped that in doing this I
could raise a substantial sum of money for four charities which I admire.
Two of them, perhaps unsurprisingly, are connected with cancer, one in
cancer research and the other in treatment and care. The other two
charities have very different but equally important aims.
To
simplify matters, we established The AquaLung Trust to collect and
distribute the funds. Thanks to the exceptional generosity of bankers
Ansbacher and international law firm Clyde & Co, as well as other
key supporters, every pound raised goes directly to these good causes.
Our gratitude to these backers is immeasurable. |
