Alison Harvey, rapid response team manager for North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus, has taken up the clipper challenge – to race around the world under sail.  

Alison will join the crew of the Hull and Humber yacht, one of ten competing in the clipper round the world yacht race, on May 22 for the seventh and final leg of the race.  

Alison said: “I decided enter the race as a personal challenge, it is something different that will stick with me for the rest of my life, the achievement is something that I am always going to have.” 

Alison is not however looking forward to all aspects of the experience: “18 people in a 68ft boat, it can get very cosy. We have to sleep with the sails, it feels like being back in Nelson’s time, all crammed in below deck. It is also very important to make sure you have tied the knots on your bed properly, as you can imagine the boat can be quite unsteady and if you haven’t quite pulled tight enough then you can easy end up falling out while trying to get some much deserved rest.” 

Nova Scotia is just one of the stops on the leg that Alison is particularly looking forward to having never been to Canada before, however the crew do not spend much time in port, usually between three to five days. 

Alison considers her self lucky to have the support of friends, family and her work colleagues: “Everyone has been extremely supportive, especially my husband, who I think is secretly pleased I am going to be away over the world cup so he will be able to watch the matches in peace!”

Alison manages the rapid response team, a multidisciplinary crisis intervention team who provide a 24/7 integrated approach to rapid or urgent assessment of an individual’s health/social care need, with a maximum of 72hours support.  

The team, part of the Care Plus directorate, includes a range of clinical professionals who can access a range of multi-disciplinary services to maintain people in their own homes while a full assessment takes place. 

You can follow Alison and the Hull and Humber team at www.clipperroundtheworld.com/hullandhumber