Clipper Round the World Yacht Race extends fundraising partnership with Unicef

William and Robin sign Unicef Spinnaker of Support © Clipper Ventures

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race has announced it will be extending its fundraising partnership with Unicef UK for a further two editions (2019-20 and 2021-22). The Clipper Race is one of the planet's toughest endurance challenges for novice sailors established by legendary British sailor Sir Robin Knox-Johnston.

Since becoming the Clipper Race Charity Partner ahead of the 2015-16 edition, more than half a million pounds has been raised by crew members and Clipper Race supporters to aid Unicef's vital work in helping to protect and save the lives of children across the globe.

Clipper Race CEO, William Ward OBE, said: "It is fantastic news that Unicef has chosen to extend its relationship with the race for a further two editions following the successful fundraising that has been carried out so far. Everyone involved with the Clipper Race recognises the important work that Unicef does around the world in promoting child rights and wellbeing. The crew will navigate the world's oceans and face their own challenges, whilst making a difference to children around the world facing significant challenges every day."

Unicef operates in 190 countries round the world, including every country on the Clipper Race route, and the crew members have an opportunity to interact with Unicef-supported projects at various stopovers during the eleven-month ocean, 40,000 nautical mile voyage.

Unicef fundraising - photo © Clipper Ventures

Mike Penrose, Executive Director of Unicef UK, said: "The Clipper Race sees everyday people take on one of the greatest challenges on earth, testing their wits, skills and courage in an endurance race across the toughest oceans. At the same time, children around the world are experiencing even more dangerous challenges – they're facing disease, hunger and the chaos of war and disaster.

"Partnering with the Clipper Race has helped us to promote awareness of the crucial work that we are doing to protect some of the most vulnerable children and we look forward to extending this partnership, which is already making a big difference to the lives of young people around the world."

More than £215,000 has already been raised out of the £400,000 fundraising target for the current edition of the Clipper 2017-18 Race, which is approaching its halfway point; the eleven identically matched ocean racing yachts are currently in Australia having set out from Liverpool, UK, in August 2017.

By the time that the teams complete their circumnavigation upon their return to Liverpool in July 2018, the eleventh edition of the unique biennial Clipper Race will have visited six continents and completed six ocean crossings. Over 710 crew members have come from all walks of life and from all around the world, with over 40 different nationalities represented, helping to generate much needed awareness and funds for Unicef.

Almost 5000 novices have been turned into ocean racers during the past twenty years of the Clipper Race, though still more people have climbed Mount Everest than circumnavigated the globe. The next set of ocean racers are already gearing up for the Clipper 2019-20 Race although spaces are still available.