A Harrogate man is taking on a 40,000-mile yacht race to give back to the charity that supported his son through the loss of his mother.
Andy Johnston will join the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race in April 2026, embarking on a high-stakes leg from Seattle to Washington DC.
He is undertaking the challenge to raise vital funds for Just B, the bereavement counselling arm of Harrogate’s St Michael’s Hospice.
Andy’s motivation is deeply personal. In 2018, he lost his first wife, Sarah, to a rare and aggressive form of cancer just ten months after her diagnosis.
Their son, Thomas, who was only 12 at the time, struggled significantly with the loss, which impacted his school life.
Andy said:
“The counselling he received from Just B helped him find resilience and a purpose in life.”
Today, 20-year-old Thomas is thriving at John Moores University in Liverpool and is a talented cricketer for Birstwith and Oswestry CC.
Andy added:
“I owe Just B a huge amount for helping Thomas become the fabulous young man he is today. The Clipper Race is my opportunity to be able to do this”.
The Clipper Race is one of the world’s toughest endurance tests.
Andy will be part of the Team Warrant boat, experiencing "hot bunking" and living in cramped quarters with fellow crew members on a 70ft yacht.
His specific leg involves:
- Departure: Seattle in April 2026.
- Route: Sailing down the US West Coast, transiting the Panama Canal, and heading north through the Caribbean and Atlantic to Washington DC.
- Duration: The voyage is expected to take approximately 43 days.
Preparation for the race has been an arduous six-month journey.
To meet the physical demands of the "High Seas," Andy has lost over 20kg and pushed through a series of injuries, including a dislocated finger, a broken rib and various pulled muscles.
Andy said:
“All the blood, sweat, and tears will be worth it if I can raise several thousand pounds for Just B.
“The charity relies heavily on volunteers and public donations to continue its work supporting young people who have lost parents or siblings.”
Support Andy’s fundraising efforts by visiting his JustGiving page here.
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