Full Circle Expedition Reaches Half Way Point

Two traditionally rigged tall ships crewed by a rotating team of 70 wounded, injured and sick (WIS) veterans and serving personnel have reached the halfway mark of an epic 2,000-mile journey around the UK.

Arriving at Wick, on the northeast coast of Scotland, the ships, Spirit of Falmouth and Pellew, have covered 1,000 miles in 48 days.

Over the course of the Full Circle expedition so far, the crews have contended with severe weather from Storm Dave, overnight passages and the physical demands of cold, fatigue and seasickness typical of life at sea.

The voyage is coordinated by veteran sailing charity Turn to Starboard and delivered in partnership with Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, raising funds to transform the lives of WIS veterans facing challenges such as PTSD, physical injury, isolation and loss of confidence.

The expedition departed from Falmouth’s Port Pendennis Marina in March and is expected to take around 12 weeks. Sailing anticlockwise around the UK, Full Circle will visit 22 ports across England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales before returning to Falmouth on June 11 2026.

The voyage will carry the Invictus Games Flag around the UK, building momentum towards the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 one-year-to-go event at the NEC in July 2026.

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

To donate to Full Circle, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/t2sfullcircle

“This expedition brings together two organisations committed to empowering veterans through challenge, camaraderie and community, each united in the belief that adventure can be truly transformative,” said Sally Terry, CEO of Turn to Starboard.

“While Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 harnesses the spirit of sport to inspire recovery and rehabilitation, Turn to Starboard draws on the unique challenges of life at sea to rebuild confidence, restore purpose and help veterans navigate life with intention and fulfilment.

“More than a voyage, this expedition is a powerful story of courage, service and renewal, showing how adventure and the sea can heal, inspire and bring people together.

“We can’t wait to bring this inspiring message around the rest of the UK to reach more veterans and highlight their challenges and remarkable achievements.

“The journey is divided into five legs, with a crew changeover for each one: Falmouth to Chatham, Chatham to Edinburgh, Edinburgh to Oban, Oban to Liverpool, and Liverpool back to Falmouth.

“We are now officially halfway through the Full Circle expedition, and while it has been tough at times, it has strengthened our resilience and brought the crew closer together, reinforcing the important purpose behind every mile the crew sail.

“We would like to thank everyone who has come out to support the expedition and meet the crew so far, every bit of support means so much to us, and all goes to helping us raise funds to transform the lives of wounded, injured and sick veterans facing serious challenges.”

To find out more, read the full story in the forthcoming issue of Living with Disability or visit www.turntostarboard.co.uk and www.invictusgames2027.org

Photo credit: Ryan Sosna-Bowd/ Turn to Starboard