An intrepid houseboat owner plans to sail a yacht single-handedly to the Caribbean, where he will donate it to local sea scouts.
James Muggoch, who lives beside Kew Bridge, in Brentford, is undertaking the mission to give impoverished youths in Grenada the chance to break into the maritime industry.
The father-of-four, whose lengthy CV includes spells working as a lorry driver, a theatrical agent and a Portobello Road Market stallholder, described the adventure as an unconventional present to himself for his 65th last year.
He is no stranger to boats. Not only does he live on one, he bought and spent 28 years lovingly restoring what he believes to be the last working First World War steam tugboat, which he piloted in the Queen's diamond jubilee pageant.
However, the last time he crossed the Atlantic by water was as a crew member on a pleasure boat when he was fresh out of school, so he is not underestimating the scale of his mission.
"At the moment there's a fence between the shanty towns in Grenada and the multi-million pound yachts moored in its marinas," he said.
"By donating this boat I want to give young people the chance to learn the boating skills they need to cross that barrier and launch a career in the maritime industry," he added. "It's been 15 years since I sailed a yacht but I'm looking forward to the challenge of crossing the Atlantic on a solo trip. Knowing the difference the boat will hopefully make once I get there will help keep me going."
Mr Muggoch is due to begin his 3,600 mile trip this December and will donate the yacht to the First Grand Anse Sea Scouts in Grenada upon his arrival.
He has already bought the boat but needs to raise money to buy the equipment and provisions needed for the journey, and to ensure he can cover the running costs once it is in the hands of the scout group.
Should the trip prove a success, he plans to buy, refurbish and donate more vessels to help hard-up youths both in this country and overseas so they can learn boating skills they they might not otherwise have the chance to pick up.
For more about Mr Muggoch's mission and how to support him, visit www.sailboattogrenada.com.
