Sponsored by NHS UK, Stu will be sailing with a giant organ donor card graphic emblazoned on the mainsail of his new Supernova. Naming his new craft Gift of Life his aim is to emphasise the importance of organ donation.

Stu was diagnosed as suffering from end-stage renal failure in May 2002. Although he tried carry on sailing but was shorebound for many races. He bought a camper van in order to transport his vital, blood-cleansing dialysis equipment to distant events until finally undergoing a successful transplant in September last year.

Stu says “The boat, especially the mainsail, is really eye-catching. I’m getting fantastic feedback, not just from sailors – and I’m hoping we can encourage thousands of people to talk about organ donation and join the NHS Organ Donor Register.”

Penny Hallet, UK Transplant’s Director of Communications is equally positive in the new sponsorship deal “Whether on or off the water, we want to make organ donation a talking point. We hope that the sponsorship will encourage sailors and sailing fans alike to talk about organ and tissue donation with their family and friends and register their wishes on the NHS Organ Donor Register.”

The Supernova is a new but rapidly growing single-handed racing class and 17 events dedicated to the boat are held each year. Stu will also be taking the Gift of Life to many other events this season to race against different classes of dinghy.