This project was spearheaded by Kerryman, Stephen Fitzpatrick who sailed with Oceans of Hope on their Athens Challenge in Greece last year. An experience Stephen says transformed his life by spending time at sea and Stephen plans to run sailing days around the coast for people with the MS.
Mr Fitzpatrick, who is from Dublin but lives in Killorglin, Co Kerry, was diagnosed with MS five years ago. “The philosophy of the Oceans of Hope Challenge journey was simple: do what you can and take breaks whenever necessary. Everyone understood the individual challenges faced by participants”, he says, recalling how refreshing the experience was.
The sailing day was a great success with Robert Munns CEO of Oceans of Hope Challenge coming over for the first event in April. “It wasn’t until I got on the boat that I realised how locked in I was in my head, and how I wasn’t living my life to the full,“ Mr Munns recalls.
The British wing of Oceans of Hope which Mr Munns has established with Nicola Kaufman since then has held a number of sailing events for people with MS, initially in Turkey and Croatia and beyond. More information can be obtained at info@oceansofhope.co.uk