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Isle of Wight Man in unique transatlantic crossing for Diabetes Week

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Professional sailor Adam Pereira is sailing single-handed from Cowes 7,000 nautical miles to the Statue of Liberty and back nonstop. A truly unique challenge, Adam will be the first person with Type 1 diabetes to complete a transatlantic crossing on his own. 

Cowes to New York

Adam set off for New York from the Royal London Yacht Club in Cowes on Saturday, 17 June to fundraise for Diabetes UK as part ofDiabetes Week.  

Diabetes UK is the leading charitable funder of diabetes research in the UK, investing around £7 million every year to bring about life-changing breakthroughs in care, treatment and prevention, ultimately bringing us closer to a cure. 

10 Week trip across the Atlantic

From Ventnor in the Isle of Wight, Adam’s nautical achievements include the Sydney Hobart race (first in maxi class) and Cowes Week overall winner Black group (legendary Panther Team). He has now set off on his toughest test yet: a 10-week epic trip across the Atlantic.

Adam was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was 33. He said: “I wanted to do something for Diabetes Week to inspire people with the condition to pursue their wildest dreams and live an awesome life.  

"I’m really pushing the boat out so I’m asking everyone living with diabetes in the UK to sponsor me £10. There are 3.6 million people who have been diagnosed with diabetes in the UK so this is an amazing opportunity to raise huge funds for diabetes research.  

"I know it’s an incredible target but together we can do it!  No-one with Type 1 has ever sailed single-handed across the Atlantic so this is certainly bold!  I'm an Ocean Yacht Master with 100,000 nautical miles experience offshore so I hope I’m ready. I’ll be frequently testing my blood glucose levels. It’ll be a special feeling when the Statue of Liberty starts to come into view after so many hours at sea."

Adam, 49, wants to pay particular tribute to local couple Peter and Lesley Knight: “Peter, Lesley and their son Chris kindly donated this amazing boat to me. They’ve had it in their family for thirty years. I can’t thank them enough, I couldn’t have done this without them.”  

Charlotte Harrison-Webb, Regional Fundraiser for Diabetes UK in the South East said: “Adam is one of a kind. He’s amazing. Ten weeks at sea, enduring all types of adverse weather – what a hero. Everyone at Diabetes UK is cheering you on."

Roger Duckworth, the Treasurer at the Royal London Yacht Club, said:  “I have only known Adam a short time but he is a genuinely inspirational person who is totally committed to this project and to raising funds for Diabetes UK. The Royal London Yacht Club is proud to support him and looks forward to his safe return in August”.

To sponsor this ocean adventure, go toAdam's JustGiving page.

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