Quadriplegic sailor, Geoff Holt has today set the record as the first disabled person to successfully sail around Great Britain – a 1,600-mile voyage he describes as his ‘Personal Everest’.

Holt left Southampton on 20 May this year, sailing every day that weather has allowed. He had hoped to complete the voyage in around 60 days, but this summer’s inclement weather has hampered his progress and he has been weatherbound in several ports, causing his passage to take longer than anticipated.

Hampshire based Holt, aged 41, was paralysed as the result of a swimming accident at only 18 years of age. Since his accident, despite being paralysed from the breast line down and wheelchair bound, Holt has taken every opportunity to go to sea in his Challenger trimaran dinghy.

Sponsorship from law firm, Blake Lapthorn Tarlo Lyons, allowed Holt to achieve his dream of putting together a round Great Britain project this year. Rotary International members around Great Britain have helped the team in ports of call and Holt has been raising funds for Sailability, the Royal Yachting Association charity which helps to give disabled people the opportunity to go sailing.