Invictus Games flag voyage reaches halfway point

Wounded veterans and serving personnel have reached the halfway point of their maritime journey to carry the Invictus Games Flag around the UK.

The two tall ships, Spirit of Falmouth and Pellew, have arrived in Wick, Scotland, after sailing 1,000 nautical miles (1,850km) over 48 days.

The ships set sail from Falmouth for the 12-week Full Circle expedition, co-ordinated by the charity Turn to Starboard in partnership with Invictus Games Birmingham 2027.

Falmouth Royal Navy veteran Will Keating said after the deaths of a close friend while deployed and his foster son, the trip had given him the "space to pause and properly confront things I've carried for years".

Keating said: "Sailing with Turn to Starboard on board the ship has been a powerful experience, restoring my sense of camaraderie and giving me the time and support to start opening up.

"I truly believe I'll come back from this experience a better, stronger person, ready to help others as well as myself."

The crews have contended with severe weather from Storm Dave, overnight passages and the physical demands of cold, fatigue and seasickness.

Paul Miller, Army veteran and skipper of Spirit of Falmouth, said: "Being part of this expedition fills me with real pride.

"It has reminded me how far I've come in my own recovery and how much further we can all go together."

The journey has been divided into five legs, with a crew changeover for each one, from Falmouth to Chatham, Chatham to Edinburgh, Edinburgh to Oban, Oban to Liverpool and Liverpool back to Falmouth.

The voyage is also aimed at raising £300,000 to enable Turn to Starboard to purchase a second tall ship, so the charity can support more veterans facing challenges such as post-traumatic stress disorder, physical injury, isolation and loss of confidence.

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