A Manxman with no previous ocean sailing experience is taking part in an 11 month round the world yacht race challenge, covering a total of 40,000 miles, to raise money for the Live At Home scheme.
Marc Hundleby, 47, originally from Onchan, is taking on the Clipper Round The World Yacht Race, as part of team Da Nang-Viet Nam, which starts at St Katharine Docks in London on Sunday and finishes on July 30 2016.
Marc, an IT project and programme manager who currently lives in Sydney, Australia, said: ‘After working in the corporate world for most of my career I wanted to do something for other people rather than fuel the corporate machine.
‘I wanted to select an organisation based in the Isle of Man and help the Manx community. I am passionate about people’s independence and also feel strongly about how isolated older adults can become so the Live At Home scheme was the perfect choice,’ he said.
The Clipper race is divided into eight legs with 16 individual races. Team Da Nang-Viet Nam has around 50 crew members with 20 to 22 members on board at any one time and all crew members must complete a rigorous training course before being allowed to take on the challenge. During training Marc had to have seven stiches in his head after falling on a winch in rough seas.
Marc said: ‘The Clipper Round The World Yacht Race will be a real test of stamina and endurance but I wanted to take on a challenge which pushed my limits and forced me out my comfort zone, and it will certainly do that!’
As well as being a team member, Marc has the additional role of being the yacht’s engineer helping out the skipper.
Jo Dixon, Island Live At Home manager, said: ‘I am delighted Marc has chosen to raise money for our charity by taking part in this incredible race.
‘It is a huge endeavour which I know he is absolutely ready to take on. It is with support from people like Marc that enables us to continue to enhance and expand what we do across the island’.
Marc is aiming to raise more than £3,000 for the Live At Home scheme. If you would like to sponsor him visit www.justgiving.com/marc-hundleby.