It would be a dream come true for 36-year-old Hilary Lister if she could complete the charity challenge.

"A large part of the pleasure I get from sailing is the joy of being out in the elements," she said.

Mrs Lister set sail from Dover on June 16 and was hampered by unexpectedly high winds and minor technical problems with her boat, delaying her planned stop near Chichester by 24 hours.

But after overcoming the problems she continued her journey and sailed through Chichester Harbour and into Sparkes Marina at Hayling Island.

She arrived to cheers from fellow Lions including members of the Chichester branch, who are supporting her challenge along with their counterparts across Britain, before leaving for Lymington.

Mrs Lister, from Canterbury, who uses a 'sip-and-puff' system of straws to control her boat with breath, said: "The people who are in the marinas to meet us are fantastic – it is just an incredible experience for all of us."

She has no movement below her neck and operates the sails and tiller of Artemis 20 – designed by Rogers Yacht Design under commission from Chichester-based Vizual Marine – with the system.

Mrs Lister is already a record setter, having become the first quadriplegic sailor to cross the English Channel in 2005 and last July circumnavigated the Isle of Wight.

She is backed by a six-strong crew. Half sail a few hundred yards behind her and half travel on land.

The challenge, expected to take up to four months, is raising cash for Hilary's Dream Trust which Hilary established to realise the sailing dreams of people with disabilities or significant disadvantages.

To send a donation please visit http://www.hilarylister.com/EC828/Round_Britain_Dream/Donate_now.aspx or send a cheque made payable to Hilary's Round Britain Dream Fund, to RBD, Hilary's Dream Trust, PO Box 223, St Leonards on sea, TN38 1ER.


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