A MALDON store has signed up to sponsor a boat on its epic journey around Britain in aid of a cancer charity.

Marinestore Chandlery, on North Street, Maldon, have agreed to sponsor one of the boats on 2017’s Around Britain for Macmillan journey.

The trip is being organised by Colin Stracey, of Premier Sailing, in North Fambridge, whose trip last year helped to raise more than £6,000 for Macmillan Cancer Research.

Eleanor Callus, managing director at Marinestore Chandlery, will also be taking part in the two month trip around the country.

Organiser, Colin Stracey began the Round Britain trips to raise money for Macmillan after seeing the work they did to help his son, James, during his cancer treatment.

Preparations for this year’s voyage have been a “roller coaster ride” for Colin and wife Jan.

Colin said: “A couple of weeks before the festive season we were offered the use of Nightsong, a beautiful cruising yacht that will help the journey out massively.

“Then, on the day before Christmas Eve, we got the news that our son’s cancer was back and is now inoperable.

“Macmillan have again helped us and our son in all sorts of ways. Our wish is that they can help all cancer patients. Sadly, they can’t help everyone who is ill and the biggest restriction is lack of funds.

“This week the news that Marinestore have agreed to sponsor us, and their managing director will sail with us, has seen our spirits rise.

“We still have a long way to go filling the spaces on the various legs. Joining this trip for a week cruising, or even all seven weeks, will help bring much needed funds to Macmillan.”

Starting from North Fambridge, the seven legs of the journey will see the crews pass through Newcastle, Inverness, Fort William, Troon, Milford Haven and Plymouth.

To find out more about the trip, or to sign up yourself, visit premiersailing.co.uk/sail-around-britain-2017.