Terminally ill sailor from Seaford sets off solo around the UK

A terminally ill 26-year-old woman from East Sussex has set off on a solo voyage sailing around the British Isles.

Jazz Turner, an engineer from Seaford, lives with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a debilitating genetic condition that affects connective tissue.

The full-time wheelchair user left Brighton Marina on Monday on the 2,070 mile (3,331km) trip she hopes to complete within four to eight weeks.

She said was feeling “nervous and excited” and was hoping to become the “first disabled person to undertake a solo and non-stop circumnavigation of the UK and Ireland”.

Ms Turner was diagnosed with the illness, which causes fainting and seizures, when she was 18.

Due to complications, doctors have told her that her condition is now terminal.

She told BBC Radio Sussex: “I’m just looking forward to getting out there now.

“It has been a long time coming.”

Despite not being able to swim and being prone to seasickness, she has previously represented Great Britain in para-inclusive sailing events.

She said: “The worst part about it is when there is no wind.

“I can’t use my engine as part of the record attempt.

“So when there’s no wind I go wherever the tide wants. Drifting is really hard to deal with mentally when you want to be making progress.”

Ms Turner is raising money for Sailability, a charity that enables people with disabilities or who come from a difficult background to get into sailing.