Quadriplegic yachtswoman Hilary Lister prepares for next challenge

8:11 PM Mon 22 Mar 2010 GMT

'Quadriplegic yachtswoman Hilary Lister - www.hilarylister.com '

Heroic British quadriplegic yachtswoman, Hilary Lister, today officially launched her latest challenge, to sail solo around the Kingdom of Bahrain. The 'Sail Bahrain' initiative has been developed to help raise awareness and funds for local disabled charity, Bahrain Mobility International (BMI).

Hilary, 37 from Kent, England who is paralysed from the neck down, will undertake the challenge in April, on board her specially adapted 20ft yacht 'Arty', which she controls by sipping and puffing on three straws, linked to an innovative Power Assist System.

The journey around the coastline of Bahrain is approximately 100 miles and is expected to take Hilary four days. She will set out from Amwaj Marina on April 13 and sail clockwise, covering approximately 25 miles each day, before stopping to rest overnight, at various marinas around the island. Anticipated stops are currently scheduled for The Marina Club, Bahrain Sailing Club, Bahrain Yacht Club and Durrat Marina, where fund-raising activities will also take place.

The project is being managed by 'Sail Bahrain', an initiative launched last year to help leverage sailing activities in Bahrain and whose founder, Andrew Pindar OBE, has been a long-term supporter of Hilary. The campaign has also earned the support of several local partners, including Events and PR Company Warren MacLeod and leading shipping, logistics and marine services provider, GAC Logistics, who are overseeing the delivery of Hilary's boat from the UK. Sail Bahrain's Volvo 60 racing yacht will be used as a support vessel, transporting Hilary's shore crew and ensuring that she is closely monitored, throughout the challenge.

Hilary hopes her voyage will challenge people's views on disability and raise valuable funds for BMI, which provides social rehabilitation and services to disabled people throughout Bahrain.

Speaking ahead of a live web press conference, hosted at the GAC offices in Bahrain office today, Hilary said, 'I am really looking forward to my visit to Bahrain and embarking on this exciting challenge. Before I was introduced to sailing in 2003, my life had reached rock bottom - I was in constant pain and even contemplated taking my own life. Since then, I have discovered a new sense of freedom on the water, which has enabled me to achieve things I never imagined possible. I hope my journey around Bahrain will encourage both disabled and able bodied people, to pursue their own dreams and help raise much needed funds for Bahrain Mobility International.'

Hilary Lister - www.hilarylister.com -

Hilary's story is a remarkable tale of courage. She first began to experience pain in her knees at the age of 11. By 15, she was confined to a wheelchair and was diagnosed with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, an incurable disease which eventually led to her losing the use of all her limbs. Determined not to let it ruin her life, she gained a place at Oxford University and achieved a 2:1 degree in biochemistry, despite having to dictate her papers, with an epidural drip on her spine.

It was however, through her achievements on the water, that Hilary shot to fame and captured the hearts of people around the world. In August 2005 she made international headlines, when she became the first ever quadriplegic sailor to sail solo across the English Channel. She followed this success in July 2007, sailing solo around the Isle of Wight and last August completed her greatest achievement to date - 'Hilary's Round Britain Dream' - an incredible feat, which took just over 14 months.

Hilary will arrive in Bahrain on April 6, for three weeks, where she is set to take part in a number of fund raising initiatives and share her incredible experiences. She has been invited to attend the BMI's annual fundraising golf tournament, the 'Shaikh Faisal bin Hamad Al Khalifa Memorial Trophy 2010', on April 9, which will take place on His Majesty The King's private golf course, in Safriya. Following her challenge, she will also attend the Bahrain International Boat Show from 20-24 April at Amwaj Marina.

Speaking on behalf of Bahrain Mobility International, Adel Sultan, VP of BMI commented, 'We are immensely grateful to Hilary, Sail Bahrain and all the other associated partners, for agreeing to undertake this challenge on behalf of BMI. Hilary's courage and determination is very humbling and we are all very excited about meeting her and welcoming her to Bahrain. The BMI seeks to offer a wide range of opportunities for disabled people in Bahrain. With the help of high profile initiatives such as this, we hope to exceed our 2010 target of BD 60,000, which will allow us to complete the swimming pool and recreational facilities and buy much needed mobility equipment.'

To make a donation, please call Dreena Rogers on 39615356 or Adel Sultan 39678053 from BMI.

Nick Crabtree - Director, Sail Bahrain
'Hilary is a truly remarkable woman. Her achievements continue to amaze and inspire people around the world. Sail Bahrain is committed to reigniting the rich sailing traditions in the Kingdom. We are thrilled that Hilary is coming to Bahrain and we hope to encourage as many people as possible to get involved in raising funds for Bahrain Mobility International.'

Peter Gronberg - Managing Director GAC Bahrain
'GAC Bahrain fully supports the initiatives taken by Sail Bahrain to facilitate great sailing opportunities throughout the Kingdom. Our involvement has been to help with the logistical aspects of getting Hilary's sail boat shipped out here, from the UK. We are all looking forward to meeting her and following her journey around the island, as she continues to demonstrate that with the right willpower and determination, dreams really can become a reality.'

Megan MacLeod - Managing Director, Warren MacLeod
'Through our sponsorship of Hilary's trip as well as providing event and PR services, our full support goes out to Bahrain Mobility in their efforts to 'Mobilize Bahrain' towards a brighter future. It's fantastic to be involved in a project that has so many inspiring and dedicated people working towards a common goal. Hilary is the epitome of courage and determination and brings hope and awareness to charities such as BMI, which rely solely on charitable donations. We have had immense support from the schools, Amwaj Islands, The Dragon Hotel, The Yacht Club as well as many more donations being pledged. We are all looking forward to meeting Hilary when she arrives and hope the people of Bahrain give generously to this worth while cause.'

About Sail Bahrain
Sail Bahrain is an initiative created by Team Pindar, one of the world's leading independent sailing teams with over 27-years experience of delivering high impact sailing campaigns. Sail Bahrain aims to reignite the Kingdom's long and rich maritime history by maximising access to the island's natural assets - an abundance of clear water and plentiful wind.

Working closely with the Bahrain Maritime Sports Association (BMSA), Sail Bahrain's key objectives are to develop a sustainable maritime industry, build a water-sports academy, attract international events to the region, nurture the next generation of local sailing champions and unite people from all backgrounds to enjoy leisure pursuits on the water.

Phase 1 of Sail Bahrain was launched in November 2009 at Amwaj Islands, with the arrival of two Volvo 60 racing yachts, which will be used for training, yacht charters, corporate hospitality and racing throughout the Gulf region. Leading shipping company GAC have been instrumental in providing logistics and continue to play a key role as partner to the Sail Bahrain programme.

About Hilary Lister
Hilary was not born quadriplegic, in fact Hilary was a sporty child. However, Hilary was diagnosed with a degenerative disease at 15, which would slowly limit the use of her body as she became older. Hilary, 37, has no voluntary control below her neck. She lives near Canterbury in Kent and has battled her worsening medical condition for over half her life.

Four years after becoming quadriplegic, an introduction to sailing in 2003 transformed her life. In 2005, she made history by becoming the first ever quadriplegic to sail solo across the English Channel. In 2007 she circumnavigated the Isle of Wight and in 2009 became the first disabled woman to sail solo around Britain.

www.hilarylister.com

About Bahrain Mobility International
Bahrain Mobility International is a social, general and non-profit making centre located in Isa Town and run entirely on charitable donations. Established in 1979, it provides social rehabilitation and services to the disabled in Bahrain. The BMI centre also offers training workshops to those with special needs and helps them to produce goods for sale or exhibition. The BMI centre has a kindergarten nursery for children aged 3 - 6 years attached to it which prepares the children for actual school studies. The nursery also accepts non disabled children, thus helping the integration of disabled children into the community.

by Jo Gawith