Terminally ill sailor from Sussex completes 2,000 mile voyage

A terminally ill sailor has completed her solo voyage around the British Isles, becoming the first disabled person ever to complete the feat without any support.

Jazz Turner, an engineer from Seaford, East Sussex, arrived back at Brighton Marina this afternoon at 12.30 BST, exactly four weeks after setting off on 2 June.

On completing the course Ms Turner told BBC South East: “It’s been a hell of a journey and I’m just so grateful for everyone because I couldn’t have done it alone, it may have been a solo trip, but it’s taken a small army.”

She battled through huge waves, heavy winds and even ran aground in Folkestone, Kent, days before completing her 2,070 mile (3,331km) trip this afternoon.

The 26-year-old lives with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a debilitating genetic condition that affects connective tissue, but this did not stop her from raising £45,000 for charity.

“The best point was rounding the northern most part of Scotland and just screaming out because I didn’t think I’d get that far, then it was a bit of a scramble to plot the second leg,” she said.

Her parents Chris and Carolyn Turner said they were “incredibly proud but very tired”.

Mr Turner said: “I think the worst part for her was the thunder and lightning, as well as going against the 35 knot (40mph) winds in Scotland and Falmouth.

“She’s pretty much sailed non-stop for four weeks.”

Ms Turner, a full time wheelchair user, completed the voyage without any support, so had to use her anchors and the spring tide to get off the rocks in Folkestone on Sunday morning.

She has been using her 27ft (8m) boat named Fear for the solo, non-stop and unassisted navigation and said the journey was physically exhausting at times, but that it feels “unreal” to have done it.

“With a lot of imagination and a rather large army to help and although you might have to do things differently, but if you can dream it, you really can do it,” she said.

Ms Turner was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, which causes fainting and seizures, when she was 18.

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

She originally hoped to complete the trip in four to eight weeks. Ms Turner has raised more than £45,000 for her charity Sailability, which helps people with disabilities access sailing.