Inventure update
Update 19 October 2002
Have
just arrived back in London after a couple of months spent
largely onboard Inventure in Cowes with Nick and Wes my helpers.
It is amazing to think that a year ago we were in Newcastle,
I had checked in to a hotel with fatigue, unaware that it
was being caused by the drugs I'd been taking for 14 years.
Since my operation in June for the "Baclofen Pump" every week
has seen a gradual improvement in my energy levels.
Though
now fitter than I've been for years I can hardly believe I
was ever planning to sail around the World.
Over
the past year those plans have changed or rather evolved;
On the sail around Britain, whilst realising the enjoyment
of being back on the water, I pushed myself beyond the limits
of my endurance and by making the finish found that I no longer
had anything to prove. The definate highlight was sharing
the experience with other disabled people, the low point was
finding it almost impossible to sleep whilst underway.
So
when The Cadogan Charity, sponsors of the Round Britain challenge
offered to grant The Inventure Trust funds to purchase Inventure
from my company The Next Challenge Ltd, I realised sailing
her around the world was no longer the priority, and In the
hands of the Trust far more could be achieved. Thanks to their
generosity and foresight they are making it so.
The
Trustees of The Inventure Trust have met several times during
the summer. Charitable status has been granted and Lord Cadogan
has very kindly agreed to be Patron. The Trustees aim to make
Inventure available to disabled people, their friends and
families, to organise sail training, pleasure cruises and
adventure. They are seeking an administrator and a skipper.
I will continue to be heavily involved.
There
is still much work to be done to finish Inventure, to this
end Matt Debiki has recently returned on board and up until
Christmas will supervise work in progress as well as chipping
in himself. Electricians are still re-wiring her, Mark Johns
is still building the new wing control system and Rex Garrod
a mechanical emergency release. Peter Harrison the man behind
Britain's Americas Cup challenge is allowing us to keep Inventure
at his base in Cowes FOC. During December the wings will come
off and be stored in one of his sheds for winter.
The
Next Challenge Ltd is soon to be wound up as will www.globalinventure.com
but the story of Inventure has only just begun. I hope you
will continue to follow it and support her - will let you
know how.
Thanks as ever, especially to everyone who has given money
or materials to help build and support Inventure and the greatest
all-round experience of my life.
Trev
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