Terminally ill Seaford woman to sail solo around the UK

A terminally ill 26-year-old woman from East Sussex is preparing to set sail around the British Isles on a solo voyage.

Jazz Turner lives with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a debilitating genetic condition that affects connective tissue, meaning she is a full-time wheelchair user.

The engineer from Seaford said the 2,070 mile (3,331km) trip was “about showing anything is possible. With a bit of imagination and a lot of hard work, there’s no limit to what we are capable of”.

Ms Turner will set off from Brighton in her boat – named Fear! – on 2 June.

Ms Turner was diagnosed with the illness when she was 18, which causes fainting and seizures.

Due to complications, doctors have told her that her condition is now terminal.

She is hoping to complete the sailing challenge within four to eight weeks.

“If I’m not [done] by the end of eight weeks, I’m going to really need a proper shower, and I will run out of food and water,” she added.

“I obviously don’t want to die and I want plenty more time to chase my adventures.”

Ms Turner will be completing the non-stop and unassisted circumnavigation of the UK in a sailing boat.

This challenge was “about living life and doing crazy stupid ideas you would normally put off,” she added.

Despite not being able to swim and being prone to seasickness, she has previously represented Great Britain in para-inclusive sailing events.

None of her family are sailors and she said she discovered the sport “by accident” on holiday.

Her father, Chris Turner, has upgraded her boat to include a wind-powered generator that will help keep the modern satellite technology going during the trip.

He said the family were once told there was only a 50/50 chance of his daughter making it through the night until morning.

“Once you’ve been through a few of these events, you start to realise actually she hasn’t got much time left – just let her enjoy what time she has,” he said.

“Although this is a bit of a stretch, I must admit.”

Ms Turner is raising money for Sailability, a charity that enables people with disabilities or who come from a difficult background to get into sailing.

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