Tikka's Travels round-Britain adventure on home stretch

Steve Pointon and Jeanne Socrates, pictured with crewmate Kerry Shenton Bamblett, on Tikka's Around Britain Sail

The Pointon family have been joined by record-breaking, round-the-world yachtswoman Jeanne Socrates for the last leg of their Tikka’s Around Britain Sail.

Steve and Kaz Pointon and their 13-year-old son Harry set sail on 4 June 2016 in their 28ft yacht, Tikka, from Gosport and have been travelling anticlockwise around coast of the United Kingdom, raising funds for Action for Children.

They are expected to finish at Hornet Services Sailing Club, Gosport at 2pm this Saturday, 20 August.

Jeanne Socrates, who celebrates her 74th birthday today, flew in from Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada – where she is preparing for her next round the world trip – to join Tikka in Plymouth yesterday.

The Pointon family have been joined by record-breaking, round-the-world yachtswoman Jeanne Socrates for the last leg of their Tikka’s Around Britain Sail

Much of the fundraising has been achieved by family and friends of the Pointon family who donated to the cause in return for joining legs of the voyage along the way.

Steve Pointon said today: ‘Tikka now has a full crew for our last few days of our adventure. We have Kaz, Harry, Kerry and Jeanne in the team now.

‘We limped into Plymouth yesterday with our ongoing engine problem and are now working hard to get Tikka ready to push on. She is getting tired, as am I but with so many inspirational people around we will see this through.

‘We were visited this morning by Plymouth’s Action for Children staff that are the true heroes that often go unnoticed. Thank you for taking time to come and say hello. I hope we can stay on target and we are doing everything we can to get going again.

‘More importantly though, it is great to see our total raised get close to £18,000. Seeing a child that has suffered trauma smile is priceless and far more important than any engine.’

Harry, Kaz and Steve Pointon

Kaz said: We adopted Harry when he was six. He had a difficult start in life and we’re delighted to have been able to offer him a loving and caring home that he needs. We would like to see all children in our country have a better chance in life which is why we chose Action for Children. It’s a national charity that is passionate about helping vulnerable children and young people and we hope to raise a lot of money and raise awareness of the great work they do.’

While Steve, Kaz and Harry have been at sea, family friend Martin Torbett, 65, has been following their route on land – he will be cycling approximately 4,000 miles.

Jeanne Socrates

Jeanne met the Pointons after Steve messaged her in support of her previous circumnavigation and the pair kept in touch.

The septuagenarian made history three years ago when she became the first woman to sail solo non-stop around the world from North America and the oldest woman to sail solo non-stop around the world.

She is currently preparing to attempt another solo non-stop and unassisted circumnavigation, starting this October 2016 in her Najad 380 yacht Nereida, with the goal of breaking the Guinness World Record of being the oldest person to achieve this.

Steve was in the Navy for more than 24 years, serving in Iraq and Afghanistan working with Sea King helicopters from 845 and 846 squadrons based in Yeovilton.

He still serves as a chief petty officer as a reservist on 700X squadron based at Culdrose. He didn’t discover sailing until he was about 30 years old, but immediately loved it and has been sailing with his wife Kaz for about 20 years starting with Navy charter yachts on the Solent.

To support Tikka’s Travels’ fundraising efforts visit their Virgin Money Giving page.

Read their blog here.