Gavin Vaughan of Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club on Belfast Lough has always wanted to sail around Ireland but not in the famous race. So spurred on by the death of his longtime friend and crew Neale McCullough, who had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and passed away in February last year, Gavin has done just that but as a fundraising cruise.
Neale and his crewmate Gavin had always wanted to circumnavigate Ireland but couldn't manage the voyage due to family and work commitments. Neale's passing motivated Gavin to make this journey a reality and now Gavin and his crew, including Neale's sons Adam and Toby, are on the West Coast aiming to return to Bangor by the end of July. Toucan, a Jeanneau SO 349 left Bangor Marina on Belfast Lough on 30th June on a clockwise circuit of Ireland.
This circumnavigation was on Gavin's bucket list, but he is fundraising for the charity Northern Ireland Pancreatic Cancer, which is close to his heart.
Gavin Vaughan's Toucan on the way south at the Baily Lighthouse on the northern tip of Dublin Bay during their fundraising cruise round Ireland
NIPANC is a Northern Ireland charity working to improve the outcomes of pancreatic cancer by: Increasing public understanding of this cancer: Promoting awareness of the cancer signs and symptoms by both medical professionals and members of the public.
At the time of writing, Toucan is on passage from Fenit in Co Kerry, heading for the Aran Islands, which is 480 miles under her keel. She will cover many more than the 704 NM raced by Eric De Turckheim's NMD54 Teasing Machine, the overall winner of the Round Ireland Race.
David Eccles helming Toucanat the Great Blasket Island off the County Kerry coast
With Neale's ashes on board, Round Ireland with Neale fundraising has raised just over £5,000 towards the target of £6,000.
The late Neale McCullough (right) with left to right Gordon Patterson, Gavin Vaughan and David Eccles racing at Ballyholme in 2018
Donations can be made NIPANC: Do Your Own Fundraising for NIPANC (enthuse.com)
