Full Circle - a 2,000-mile voyage around the UK crewed by wounded, injured and sick veterans
by Vicky Sales 18 Nov 02:12 AEDT
Pellew © Turn to Starboard
Turn to Starboard and Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 unveil 'Full Circle'
A historic voyage has been announced today, bringing together serving military personnel and veterans who are wounded, injured or sick (WIS) who are set to embark on a 2,000-nautical-mile circumnavigation of the UK aboard two tall ships, carrying the Invictus Games flag around the UK.
Ahead of the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, the sailing expedition, called Full Circle, will carry the inspirational message of The Games through the Invictus flag, which will travel from Vancouver, Canada, to the UK, where it will join the voyage.
The expedition has been coordinated by Veteran sailing charity Turn to Starboard (T2S) and the Invictus Games with the aim of raising £300,000 to help support veterans and serving personnel affected by service to help rebuild confidence, support recovery and strengthen community.
The epic adventure will take just over 12 weeks, beginning on 17 March 2026, departing from Falmouth and travelling anticlockwise around the UK before returning to Falmouth on 11 June 2026, marking one year until The Games commences in Birmingham.
The announcement of the voyage marks 600 days until the Invictus Games begins, with a crew of over 70 military personnel and veterans now in training for the expedition.
Sally Terry, CEO of Turn to Starboard, & expedition lead, said: "T2S is proud to announce that this undertaking will be in partnership with the Invictus Games, uniting two organisations committed to empowering veterans through challenge, camaraderie and community.
"Both believe in the transformative power of adventure- and where the Invictus Games harnesses the spirit of sport to inspire recovery and rehabilitation, T2S channels the unique challenges of life at sea to rebuild confidence, find purpose and navigate life with intention and fulfilment for veterans.
"This remarkable expedition is more than a voyage- it's a powerful story of courage, service and renewal - a testament to how adventure and the sea can help heal, inspire and bring people together."
The Invictus Games flag, currently embarked on HMS Prince of Wales with the UK Carrier Strike Group, will return to the UK in December before being handed to the Turn to Starboard crew to sail on the Full Circle expedition.
On the voyage, the crew will travel in two traditionally rigged tall ships, Pellew and Spirit of Falmouth, skippered and crewed by T2S, as they call at 22 ports across all four nations.
The journey will be split into five legs, with a crew changeover for each one- Falmouth to Chatham, Chatham to Edinburgh, Edinburgh to Tanera, Tanera to Liverpool and Liverpool back to Falmouth.
Sally added; "As a charity, we provide a unique, non-clinical environment where veterans can reconnect with themselves and others through the therapeutic power of sailing.
"We hope this challenge will help us reach more veterans, highlight the challenges they face, and celebrate the incredible achievements made possible when opportunity meets determination."
The money raised will go towards helping T2S support veterans currently facing complex challenges such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, physical injury, isolation, unemployment and low confidence.
"We hope the expedition will help us attract enough donations and sponsorship to buy the tall ship Pellew adding her to the T2S fleet.
"Every donation makes a difference to supporting veterans with their mental well-being, building their resilience and restoring a sense of purpose."
Dan Fielding, a former Royal Marine and T2S Chief Operating Officer and Yachtmaster Instructor, is also joining the expedition as a Skipper.
He said: "This is a cause very close to my heart - I broke my back and later faced mental health issues before finding purpose through sailing with the charity.
"From personal experience, I shut myself away for a long time, becoming a recluse that felt I was no good to society or to myself. Picking up the phone and taking that first step was the hardest thing in the world, but as soon as I called the charity, I wondered why I hadn't done it sooner.
"We have so many veterans who need our help, but we need another boat and help with running costs to keep this all going. It's heartbreaking to have to turn anyone away, because when a veteran reaches out, they need you right then and there."
About the purpose of the challenge, Captain Lee Hazard MStJ KHP Royal Navy, Deputy Director Programmes and Impact Delivery for the Invictus UK 2027 Executive Team, added:
"With the Invictus Games flag on board, these remarkable veterans led by Turn to Starboard, will sail with purpose and skill, showing us all the transformative power of teamwork on an epic adventure around the United Kingdom, before the flag continues to Birmingham for the Games in July 2027.
"Full Circle's mission is to help veterans overcome adversity, rediscover their strengths and create meaningful connections that last far beyond the field of play or the deck of a ship.
"The project not only honours the sacrifices of those who have served, but also builds a lasting legacy of hope, healing, and possibility."
Follow the voyage on www.instagram.com/fullcirclet2s or www.tiktok.com/@fullcirclet2s