Richard Balcon, 64, from Wokingham, is taking part in two legs of the Clipper Round the World Race.

He joined Team Great Britain’s boat in San Francisco on April 19, bound for Panama. Raising money for Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service, he was inspired by the birth of his two grandsons on the same day – April Fool’s Day last year – on opposite sides of the globe.

He is aiming to raise £9,000 – a pound for every mile he travels – and has so far chalked up £1,375 on his Justgiving page.

He has an infected arm from a bug but has carried on regardless.

Mr Balcon is currently sailing around in North America. His journey will then take him and his crewmates across the Atlantic, and around the UK before finishing in London in July. He said: “It has been very hot – 40-plus degrees some days with no wind. We’ve seen loads of dolphins, turtles, shooting stars, electrical storms, but we had time to stop in Costa Rica to refuel and have three beers.” To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/richardbalcon