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Brightons man Lee Callaghan was a member of a GoToBermuda crew which sailed the 7000-mile first leg of the Clipper Round The World Race from England to Uruguay last year.

The dad-of-two also has his name down for the final stage of the event, which has been postponed due to the pandemic in March.

However, Lee’s thoughts and those of his crewmates have been on charity ever since Covid-19 paused the global event.

Lee Callaghan, of Brightons, and his fellow GoToBermuda crew members have raised thousands of pounds for charitable causes.

A discussion with friend Kevin Hope, whose WKD business creates fire pits and burners, led to Lee auctioning off a hand-crafted pit, with the proceeds going to UNICEF.

Brightons dad completes Clipper Round The World Race for late family and friends

Kevin also came up with the final design for the product, which drew a raft of donations from Lee’s crewmates and other race participants.

UNICEF is the latest in a line of charitable causes Lee has helped through the Clipper Round The World Race.

Clipper racer Lee Callaghan has helped to raise more than £1000 for UNICEF.

In 2019, his efforts – dedicated to late family and friends – generated more than £5000 for Cancer Research UK, the British Heart Foundation and the Barra Island RNLI Lifeboat volunteers.

Specifically, Lee’s trip was dedicated to: dad Jim, who died of prostate cancer in 2007; friend Simon Martin, who died after a short cancer battle in 2018; brother-in-law Stuart McGann, who passed away from a heart condition in 2011; and friend Ryan McGuckin, of Larbert, who died in a diving accident three years ago.

Clipper racers have now collectively raised close to £1 million for UNICEF.

Lee said: “Although the race itself has been paused due to the pandemic, with the boats now more than halfway around the world in the Philippines, the efforts of us as crew members have continued in relation to the good causes the race supports, primarily UNICEF as children around the world are even more at risk as a result of the pandemic.

A fire pit created by WKD Burners and auctioned off by Clipper racer Lee Callaghan raised more than £1000 for UNICEF.

“My friend who designed and made the fire pit is originally from Grangemouth and now lives in Carronshore.

“This isn’t the first time he’s donated a fire pit for charity.

“He asked me about my involvement in the race and decided he wanted to donate one so I gave him the Clipper logo.

“We raised £1085 and had entries from crew members from all over the world.

“The auction coincided with the weekend the race would’ve finished.”

Although the prize has been won, Lee would still welcome donations. To support the cause, click here.

For more information about WKD Burners, visit the Facebook page.

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Brightons man and Clipper Round The World Race team raise over £1000 for UNICEF