Clipper contestants sail in for final round

A policewoman, a paramedic, a smoking cessation counsellor, an actor and a housewife are all in the running to emulate Ellen MacArthur and compete in a round the world yacht race. They have been short listed to take one of the 3 free places offered by Liverpool city council to race in the Clipper 2005-06 Round The World Yacht Race. But unlike MacArthur, none have a days sailing experience between them! 

The world's longest circumnavigation race, which will be competed by ten international teams, is open to complete nautical novices. And after receiving more than 100 applications, a final shortlist of 12, 5 women and 7 men, has been selected for Liverpool. 

The 12 will now make their pitch to climb aboard the Liverpool '08 Clipper over 2 days on Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 January at Liverpool Culture Company HQ. 

The 12 are:- 

Michael O'Suillivan West Derby Self Employed Builder 
Pauline Evans Hunts Cross Retired teacher / graphic artist 
Claire Daley Garston Secondary school teacher 
Kim Lowden Toxteth NHS Manager 
Carlton Loo Toxteth Unemployed 
Paul Kelly Edge Hill Actor 
Daniel Robinson Kensington Learning facilitator 
Stephanie Preston Wavertree Housewife 
Catherine Roberts Childwall Police Officer 
David Greenhalgh Aigburth Teacher 
David Dowling Old Swan Smoking Cessation Advisor 
Peter Mulcahy Childwall Paramedic 

The 12 face an in-depth interview from Clipper Venture's Sarah Beaurgard, Councillor Warren Bradley, Executive Member for Leisure and Culture, and BBC Radio Merseyside's Roger Phillips. Councillor Bradley, who launched the competition back in November, said:- ''It has been a very tough selection process and those people shortlisted deserve real praise for getting this far. We're now looking forward to hear what they think makes them the best candidate to represent Liverpool.''

The lucky 3 will be notified at the beginning of February. Once chosen they will be fully trained to sail one of the 7 legs on the Liverpool '08 Clipper - a newly created 68-foot yacht - promoting Liverpool as European Capital of Culture, 2008.

Following a challenging course around the globe - against trade winds - they will race the fastest yachts in non-professional sailing to some of the world's most glamorous places such as Brazil, South Africa, Western Australia, Bali, China and the Caribbean before racing back across the Atlantic, arriving in Liverpool in mid-July 2006.

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, race organiser and first man to sail solo non-stop around the world, said:- "Enthusiasm, commitment, adaptability and a desire to win are of more importance than any sailing skills, as these will be taught before the competitors set sail. 

As event organisers, we wish every entrant the very best of luck as this race is a very special challenge and a truly once in a lifetime experience. In this competition, the Judges will award those who will, in their own way, put something back into the community as well as being enthusiastic ambassadors for Liverpool.''

The Liverpool '08 Clipper will be competing in a 10-strong fleet sailing around the world, each with international teams of 17 crew and a skipper.

The 35,000-mile race starts from the Albert Dock in Liverpool, on Sunday 18 September - in front of an estimated audience of 100,000 people. The start of the Clipper Race will be one of the major events the Sea Liverpool programme - Liverpool's third capital of Culture themed year. The wider national campaign of SeaBritain 2005 will see a year-long celebration of Britain's relationship with the sea, with a full programme of events, exhibitions and festivals taking place throughout the country. Full details can be found on www.seabritain2005.com.

David Quarmby CBE, Chairman of SeaBritain 2005, said:- "The start of the Clipper 05-06 Race will be an important part of the SeaBritain 2005 programme. We are very grateful to Clipper for its enthusiastic support for what will be a special, memorable year celebrating Britain as a seafaring nation and highlighting its rich maritime heritage."

HELP FOR PEOPLE CARING FOR SOMEONE WITH CANCER

MACMILLAN Cancer Relief has just launched a pioneering guide written for people caring for a relative or friend with cancer.

'Hello and how are you?' is the 68 - page handbook's title, and contains ideas and suggestions from people who have all had experience of caring for someone with cancer. It is written from their point of view rather than a medical one. The book explains where to find cancer information and support as well as help with all the practical and emotional demands that caring needs to deal with. Also included is advice on dealing with the side-effects of treatment and looks at how caring can affect relationships. It also helps with meeting the challenges and coping with bereavement.

The guide is available free of charge either by ringing the Macmillan CancerLine on 0808 2020 or visiting the Macmillan website www.macmillan.org.uk.

Elizabeth Newbould, one of the carers who helped create the book hopes it will help others who find themselves in a similar situation: - "Caring for someone you love can be very demanding - full of ups and downs, and you'll find yourself having to cop with many situations you'll never have come across before. We hope that hearing about come of the things we did and found out while we were caring will help other people and perhaps provide a few shortcuts when time is very precious."

Another carer involved with the book was Sylvia Johnson, 47, who looked after her husband Edward for 15 months until he died of a brain tumour. Their daughter, Alice, was born just 10 day before his death.

She says:- "I cared for Edward with the help of friends, relations, hospice and hospital staff. In the middle of this traumatic time we conceived Alice, and so followed a bittersweet journey ending in Alice's birth, followed shortly after by Edward's death."

'YOU CAN DO IT' FOR YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY!

CHARITIES and community organisations in your area have the chance to receive a big helping hand as the B&Q 'You Can Do It' Awards 2005 are launched on 17 January. The awards aim to regenerate local areas, helping local communities create projects they can be proud of; for example giving new life to buildings and landscapes used by local community centres, local sports clubs facilities, or after school clubs. While these large scale renovations are normally only seen on TV, now everyone has the chance to get involved with a project that can really benefit your community, so why not apply today, and become a local 'Handy Andy'.

This year is the 10th anniversary of the B&Q 'You Can Do It' Awards, during which over £1 million has been awarded by B&Q to enable community groups to improve their facilities. Over 200 community organisations have already benefited from a B&Q grant since the programme was launched in 1995, and this year, a further 20 projects across the country will be awarded a share of £100,000 worth of products.

B&Q's chief executive, Rob Cissell, comments:- "The B&Q 'You Can Do It' Awards form one element of the company's long established community programme. This year, we will again give local organisations the chance to embark on DIY projects which can help to make a real difference to their local community."

Do you know a group who would benefit from a colourful revamp over the summer? If you do, why not suggest they apply for the You Can Do It Awards? Anyone interested should contact the B&Q hotline number on 0845 300 1001. Alternatively, visit the B&Q 'You Can Do It' Awards page on the B&Q website at www.diy.com / awards. They have until Friday 18 March 2005 to send in their application forms.

Any community-based organisations, such as local charities, disability, environmental and youth groups are eligible. The planned renovation work must be completed by Sunday 25 September 2005.