Dellaroundtheworld

Sponsor Hull & Humber Clipper Crew Member

Press Release 

June 16, 2009 - Hull based Clipper Round the World Crew member, Della Parsons has been awarded sponsorship by Smith & Nephew’s Advanced Wound Management division, headquartered in Hull.   Della received confirmation two weeks ago that she had been allocated a crew place on the Hull & Humber Yacht.  

“I am delighted that Smith & Nephew are going to be my main sponsor,” said Della. “Taking a year off work and funding a once in a lifetime adventure like this is a mammoth task for me. I've remortgaged as much as I dare, sold everything I can and have been living on the bare minimum for the last year and I still have funds to find from somewhere.  It's been a pretty stressful 10 months and there have been many times when I wonder if I've taken on too much. But when a company like Smith & Nephew put their faith in you, it's not just a monetary prop, it's a great boost to your self-confidence and makes you even more determined to get out there and do a good job.”

When she says 'Do a good job' she is referring to the huge charity fund-raising target she has set herself.  Della decided some months ago to raise funds for the DebRA charity during the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race and is hoping to use the global platform to raise awareness of Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), the genetic skin blistering condition that is thought to affect around 5000 people in the UK and 500,000 worldwide.

Della first became aware of the condition EB through the fund-raising River Walks by local business man Graham Boanas who was also sponsored by Smith & Nephew.  “I was completely ignorant of the condition and the existence of the DebRA charity until that time” explains Della “However after watching Graham walk across the Humber, I remember going home and logging onto the DebRA website, to find out why on earth he would do something so completely mad like that.  The real life stories that I read on the site and the description of what some of the people living with the condition have to go through on a daily basis, broke my heart.  I wanted to do something to help but I just didn't know what.  Last year, when I finally took a deep breath and committed to taking part in the whole Clipper Race, I knew straight away that this was my chance to do my bit for DebRA.

Smith & Nephew have been staunch supporters of DebRA for many years.  Sidonie Myers, Head of Communication said “It is fantastic that Della has picked up the baton from Graham Boanas and has chosen DebRA as her charity.   This is going to be help raise awareness of EB and raise money for the DebRA charity on a global platform in a highly visible way.   At Smith & Nephew we see the plight of EB sufferers around the world and we remain committed to helping them have a better quality of life.”

The DebRA team is very happy Della has climbed on board. “Everyone at DebRA is incredibly excited about Della’s forthcoming trip. She is clearly one hell of a motivated (if a little crazy!) lady and we are tremendously proud to have her supporting our charity and raising awareness of this debilitating condition, Epidermolysis Bullosa. We wish her all the best and look forward to following her progress around the world.”

You can keep up to date with Della's race preparations and once the race starts follow her adventure on the Hull & Humber Yacht via her website: www.dellaroundtheworld.com - which also has links to her Justgiving page for DebRA. Before she sets off she is also throwing a 'Round the World Clipper Ball' – from which all proceeds will also go to DebRA.  She describes it as a “Ball with a difference” and threatens “lots of Nautical Fun”.  It's at the KC Stadium on Saturday 11^th July and a few tables are still available. 

Click here for further details or to book tickets for the Clipper Ball contact Della directly on: 07855 391514

or via email: dellaroundtheworld@gmail.com