Leukaemia Survivor Oliver Rofix visits Troon as he sails around the UK in aid of the Anthony Nolan Trust

Brave Oliver Rofix is sailing around the UK to inspire people to join Anthony Nolan's stem cell register.

Five years ago, Oliver was diagnosed with an extremely rare and life threatening form of Leukaemia; so rare that it didn't even have a name. Oliver needed a stem cell transplant and received one through a donor registered with Anthony Nolan. Now, the only survivor of this rare type of Leukaemia, Oliver is sailing around the UK to raise awareness and funds for the charity that saved his life.

Oliver says 'I wouldn't be here without my donor and the support of my family, friends and the various organisations dedicated to defeating this terrible illness. Now I want to give something back! My Challenge is to recruit 40 new potential life saving donors (within my 18-25 year old male target) and fund them to the sum of £4,000 in aid of Anthony Nolan as I sail around the UK. How am I going to do it? By sailing the boat (a Valiant 18) that I bought just before my transplant, 'Jolly Olly', around the coastline of Britain in 2011. The voyage will take approx 8 months and I will be sailing round the top of Scotland. Stopping every night if possible at a harbour to raise awareness through local media of what I am doing; I am also hoping to meet other young people who have been affected by cancer…I want to inspire other people who are ill or who have been ill. I want to show them that they might be ill now, but they can go on to do great things.'

Kay Lines, a Director of Yacht Havens, was lucky enough to meet this courageous young man when he sailed into Troon Yacht Haven last week. "I was so impressed with Olly when I met him. He is a real inspiration and I was very taken with his determination and personality", remarked Kay.

"When I heard about his challenge to sail around Britain I was very keen to support him" said Dylan Kalis, Managing Director of Yacht Havens. "We are proud to support Olly's sail around Britain in his restored Valiant 18 and wish him well in raising awareness and funds for the Anthony Nolan Trust and recruiting more potential bone marrow donors."
 
You can follow Oliver's travels online at www.olivers-travels.co.uk - Good luck, Olly!