'Sailing after my stroke helps me in every way'

Being part of a disability sailing programme after suffering a stroke has been "the most rewarding thing I have ever done", a woman has said.

Kim Davies, from Hindhead in Surrey, took up sailing after beginning to use a wheelchair having been hospitalised in 2019.

Davies, who uses a specially adapted boat, is to take part in a 10-hour relay sailing event on Saturday, raising funds for the Samson Centre – a Surrey charity supporting people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

She said: "Sailing has helped me in every way. I don't know what I would do without it."

Davies told BBC Radio Surrey: "It's the most rewarding thing I have ever done.

"I'm really looking forward to the event."

Davies began sailing with Sailability, a programme which Frensham Pond Sailing Club runs to helps people with disabilities to get onto the water.

The club has more than 30 boats and helps people to sail independently either for leisure or in racing events.

The sailing club is to run a 10-hour sailing race on Saturday, with boats taking it in turns to sail in short stints between 09:00 BST and 19:00.

A JustGiving page for the event has so far raised more than £1,200.

Chris Gay, of the sailing club, said: "It's a brilliant example of what Sailability is all about.

"We get people into the boats, and they can sail just like everyone else. It just levels the playing field.

"The event is for a great cause. It brings everyone together."

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