Members of Cowes RNLI lifeboat welcomed Isle of Wight quadriplegic sailor with cerebral palsy, Natasha Lambert, to the station’s boathouse, to thank her for her extraordinary fund-raising crossing of the Atlantic.
The 3,000-mile crossing from Gran Canaria to St Lucia on the specially adapted catamaran, Blown Away, has led to three charities – the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, the Missisle School of Sip Puff Sailing, and Cowes RNLI – each receiving £3,342.33.
Sailed using sip and puff technology
Natasha was 23 when she embarked on the challenge in November last year, accompanied by her mother, father, sister and four others.
When Natasha was on watch the boat’s controls were switched to an ingenious sip and puff technology (designed by her father, Gary), allowing Natasha to both steer the boat and trim and sails.
19 days to complete
The voyage took 18 days and 22 hours to complete, during which the crew encountered some really challenging seas.
The Lambert family, whose home is in Chawton, Northwood, stayed on in the Caribbean until June 2021.
Southwell: Achieves well outside many people’s comfort zone
Cowes station’s operations manager, Mark Southwell, said later,
“What Natasha achieved was well outside many people’s comfort zone.
“We are honoured to be the beneficiary for the third time of her wonderful maritime exploits – the previous ones having paid for the station’s kitchen and the extra-large TV screen for training purposes.”
News shared by George on behalf of Cowes RNLI. Ed
