1925 Fastnet winner Jolie Brise, built in 1913, is bound for the Isle of Wight this morning.

At 9am, the boat will leave Hamble, Hampshire for Bembridge, carrying Karen Penny, who is on a continuous walk round Britain and Ireland, hoping to raise £100,000 for the charity Alzheimer's Research UK.

Karen has already gathered a huge £78,000 via her JustGiving page (scroll down for a link).

Karen set off on her 20,000km route in 2019, from the Gower, in South Wales, choosing Alzheimer's Research UK in memory of her husband's parents.

She is hoping to become the first woman to complete the course, walking clockwise around the coast - a challenge that is expected to take more than three years.

After some spells at home in lockdown, due to the Covid-19 restrictions, she is now Isle of Wight-bound.

Writing on Facebook, she said: "I will still be carrying the winter kit, as I have it on good authority from the Isle of Wight to bring a hat and gloves!

"My boots are polished with dubbin and everything has been waterproofed ready for the journey ahead.

"A huge thank you to everyone on the Isle of Wight, who have pulled out all the stops to help me on my way.

"So many have found safe places for me to stop at the end of the day, a pool hut, gazebo in the garden, garage, empty flat, safe garden and farmland, to pitch my tent. I am so grateful to everyone helping to keep me safe on my travels.

"Leaving lockdown and new beginnings! We are so very grateful to everyone supporting Alzheimers Research UK"

Where will Karen's route take her?

  • Wednesday April 14: Bembridge to Shanklin
  • Thursday April 15: Shanklin to Ventnor
  • Friday April 16: Ventnor to Chale
  • Saturday April 17: Chale to Freshwater
  • Sunday April 18: Freshwater to Yarmouth
  • Monday April 19: Yarmouth to Wootton
  • Tuesday April 20: Wootton to Bembridge (return to Lymington)

CLICK HERE for Karen Penny's JustGiving link