Raising £100,000 for cancer research

Three competitors in this year's OSTAR have this as their goal

Three OSTAR competitors are using this challenge of a lifetime to raise more than £100,000 for two charities.

The Institute of Cancer Research is receiving support from Italian competitor Marco Naninni and Briton John Falla. Investment banker Marco, from Torino, Italy, is an ongoing supporter of the ICR London and has already raised more than £12,000 through sailing challenges. On this special occasion his employer has pledged to match any funds he will raise up to an additional £10,000.

Corporate financier John Falla plans to fulfil a long-held desire to compete in the race and raise funds for the charity and he has spent the last three years preparing his 36ft Swan Banjaard. Both competitors are raising an astounding £50,000 for the charity, which is a favourite for OSTAR sailors. The Institute of Cancer Research is Europe’s leading cancer research centre, with expert scientists working on cutting edge research, so it is no surprise it receives such support. OSTAR veteran and breast cancer survivor Mary Falk has raised more than £85,000 for the ICR and has completed three OSTARs. Her 1996 record of 19 days, 12 hours and 57 minutes for monohulls in the 35 foot class remains unbroken.

Austrian competitor Reinhard Gelder is sailing on behalf of Austrian charity, Light for the World. The organisation is committed to helping people in underprivileged regions of the world who suffer from blindness or related eye diseases. The charity’s current goal is to finance ten primary eye care units in a remote area in South East Ethiopia. The Somali region has the highest percentage of blind people in the country (5.4% of the population) where one person in twenty is blind. Around 50% of these have lost their sight as a result of cataracts and could have it restored through a simple eye operation which lasts less than 15 minutes.

Reinhard has been actively supporting Light for the World since he observed firsthand the poor conditions of the third world and the resulting problems. He has branded his trimaran Light for the World.org and hopes to raise awareness and money for the organisation’s Prevention of Blindness programme in the Somali region.

John Falla commented: “I’m looking forward to the 2009 OSTAR race, albeit with some trepidation. It is an enormous challenge but knowing I’m doing it for a good cause gives me lots of encouragement.”

David Southwood, Race Director of OSTAR 2009, commented: “OSTAR receives international attention so it is encouraging to know that this awareness could work towards helping others. Both charities provide invaluable support and research and we are proud to have such links with them.”

The OSTAR departs from Plymouth Sound at midday on Bank Holiday Monday 25 May.