Competing in the Virgin Media Business sponsored yacht – Game On – their fundraising target is to turn the 1805 nautical miles of the race into £18,050 for Scope, with the help of Virgin Media Business employees who are actively supporting the challenge.
Ian Hoddle, Virgin Media Business Sales Director, said: “My objectives are clear; I am determined to beat my previous race time achieved in 2014 of exactly 12 days, win the doublehanded class and achieve our fantastic fundraising total for Scope.
“Having faced waves bigger than houses in the 2014 race, I know the race will challenge Ollie and I both mentally and physically. Raising money for Scope, a charity that provides support to disabled people who face challenges every day, will inspire us not to give up when things get really tough.”
Mark Atkinson, Chief Executive at disability charity Scope, said: “It’s a huge honour to have Ian and Ollie flying the flag for Scope as they set sail on this bold voyage.
“The generous support we get from our fantastic partners at Virgin Media is directly transforming disabled people’s lives, supporting people into work and tackling stigma around disability.
“We’re working to drive change in society to end the inequality disabled people face, and the funding and awareness raised through this race will help us achieve that goal.”
The quadrennial race, which is the equivalent of three ‘Fastnets’, starts from Cowes on the Isle of Wight at mid-day on Sunday 12 August 2018. One of the most challenging offshore races in the Royal Ocean Racing Club calendar, the clockwise course includes wild Atlantic Ocean sailing up the west coast of Ireland and Scotland, rounding the remote Shetland Islands, and then navigating the maritime traffic hazards including oil and gas rigs, wind farms and shipping lanes in the North Sea, before finishing back in Cowes.