Barton Marine sponsored British yachtsman Mike Brooke OBE has completed a twelve week sail around Britain to raise vital funds for research into Leber's Congenital Amaurosis (LCA), a rare genetic condition of the retina.

Mike covered around 1720 nautical miles onboard his Barton equipped 19ft Cape Cutter, ‘Theo’s Future’, named after his godson, Theo who has LCA. Mike will be donating the funds to the eye research charity ‘Fight for Sight’ for Moorfields Eye hospital in London and the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, which are together pioneering research and treatment for LCA.

“I am overjoyed by the amount of funds raised to date. The £32,900 we have received to date is enough to purchase a fast, light scanning machine, which will be a vital piece of equipment for use at the Moorfields Eye Hospital.

I visited 60 ports over the duration of the 86 day voyage and on my longest leg I covered 59 miles over 12 ½ hours. Over the course of my challenge, 25 people of varying ages and sailing experience crewed at different stages of the journey. We really should have named it the ‘wind on de nose challenge' as we sailed with the wind literally on the nose of the yacht for most of the expedition. My journey was sometimes demanding, but all of the equipment onboard including the Barton deck gear really stood up to the test. It was an incredible experience," says Mike Brooke.

Paul Botterill, Director, Barton Marine comments, "Our congratulations go to Mike on completing his challenge and raising funds that will have such a significant impact on people's lives."

To donate to Mike Brooke's cause or to find out more information and to read his blog, please visit www.theosfuture.org.