I used to work on ocean going sailing yachts when I was younger and had vision and subsequently competed in RYA blind sailing events.

I moved back to Dubai about a year ago and and taken up sailing again at the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club with the DOSC Sailability team, I have been learning to sail again by feeling the wind and the movement of the boat without any vision, and Apps like Sara (a talking compass) are a really helpful tool.

I have been offered the opportunity to sail with friends on a 45ft yacht from Dubai to Cyprus, and we will be leaving in early January 2023.

It is a 3,000 mile voyage sailing along the coasts of Oman and Yemen and then entering the Red Sea to sail towards the Suez Canal, and then on to the Mediterranean.

Whilst on the voyage we will all be taking turns on our designated watches, helping with sail changes, keeping the yacht clean and tidy and of course preparing meals. I have drawn up a 28 day menu and been organising the supplies.

In preparation for the voyage we have all been taking the boat out for practice sails and drills, including man overboard and lifeboat boarding (from the yacht and the water).

Through this, I hope to help encourage people to take up challenges and to show others what is possible despite losing one's sight.

We are looking to raise funds in aid of Retina UK for research to help find a cure for this eye disease and to help raise awareness of inherited sight loss.

In addition, we are also seeking to raise awareness of marine pollution and will be logging any pollution we encounter with the Eyesea App (www.eyesea.org).