Birkenhead teenager joins Princes Trust Cutter crew bound for Russia

Jul 29 2009 by Richard Down, Birkenhead News

A GROUP of young sailors are racing through a nine-week voyage on board a cutter to Russia.

The young seadogs aged between 16 and 25 set sail from Portsmouth bound for Gydnia in Poland before heading onto Turku in Finland. The final leg of their journey will see the young crew race between Lithuania and St Petersburg, Russia.

Daryl Hayes, 18, from Birkenhead, is one of six taking part longside Ben Lewington, Barry Marsden, Mark Lally, Wayne Anderson and Matthew Crozier.

The six have never met and have been put together by the Princess Trust and the Early project run by Merseyside Fire and Rescue. Daryl said: “I’ve never sailed or been out of the country and I want the opportunity to see the world and travel to all these amazing countries – I want to take myself out of my comfort zone and try things I wouldn’t normally have the chance to.”

A massive fundraising push just to get a berth on board The Pegasus cost the young crew £10,500 and was matched by Island Trust based in Exeter.

Barbara Davies, from the Princess Trust, said: “This will be a life changing experience.”