Two traditionally rigged tall ships, Spirit of Falmouth and Pellew, crewed by a rotating team of 70 wounded, injured and sick (WIS) veterans and serving personnel, have today reached the halfway mark of their 2,000-mile Full Circle Expedition, around the UK.
Having arrived at River Harbour Commercial Quay, Wick, on the north-east coast of Caithness, Scotland, on 4 May, the ships have now covered 1,000 miles over 48 days (6 weeks and 6 days).
Over the course of the Full Circle expedition so far, the crews have contended with severe weather from Storm Dave, overnight passages and the physical demands of cold, fatigue and seasickness typical of life at sea. In one notable incident, the two traditionally rigged tall ships, crewed by wounded veterans, diverted from their route to assist a stricken yacht, resulting in a delayed arrival into Weymouth.
The voyage has also included mooring overnight beside a sunken Second World War vessel believed to contain explosives, and an unplanned night sail after being refused entry to Ipswich due to a broken lock gate.
The voyage is coordinated by veteran sailing charity Turn to Starboard and delivered in partnership with Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, raising funds to transform the lives of wounded, injured and sick veterans facing challenges such as PTSD, physical injury, isolation and loss of confidence.
Founded by Prince Harry in 2014, the Invictus Games is an international adaptive sporting event that uses competitive sport to support the recovery and rehabilitation of WIS service personnel and veterans, bringing together nations from around the world to share their journeys of resilience.
Will Keating, a Falmouth Royal Navy veteran and Cornish singer-songwriter with The Oggymen, has been on leg one and three of the expedition.
For him, the voyage is deeply personal. During his service, he experienced the loss of a close friend while deployed. Years later, following the devastating death of his foster son, he recognised he had never fully processed his grief. Joining Full Circle has marked an important step in addressing that trauma and supporting others facing similar challenges.
About his experience so far, he said: “The Full Circle Expedition has given me the space to pause and properly confront things I’ve carried for years.
“Sailing with Turn to Starboard on board the ship has been a powerful experience, restoring my sense of camaraderie and giving me the time and support to start opening up.
I am so proud to have had the chance to be part of such an amazing expedition that is helping to transform the lives of other veterans like me. I truly believe I’ll come back from this experience a better, stronger person, ready to help others as well as myself.”
The expedition departed from Falmouth’s Port Pendennis Marina on 17 March and is expected to take around 12 weeks. Sailing anticlockwise around the UK, Full Circle will visit 22 ports across England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales before returning to Falmouth on 11 June 2026.
The voyage will carry the Invictus Games Flag around the UK, building momentum towards the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 one-year-to-go event at the NEC in July 2026.
The voyage is also raising £300,000 to enable Turn to Starboard to purchase a second tall ship, so that the charity can support more veterans facing challenges such as PTSD, physical injury, isolation and loss of confidence. To donate to Full Circle, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/t2sfullcircle
Sally Terry, CEO of Turn to Starboard said: “This expedition brings together two organisations committed to empowering veterans through challenge, camaraderie and community, each united in the belief that adventure can be truly transformative.
“While Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 harnesses the spirit of sport to inspire recovery and rehabilitation, Turn to Starboard draws on the unique challenges of life at sea to rebuild confidence, restore purpose and help veterans navigate life with intention and fulfilment.
“More than a voyage, this expedition is a powerful story of courage, service and renewal, showing how adventure and the sea can heal, inspire and bring people together.
“We can’t wait to bring this inspiring message around the rest of the UK to reach more veterans and highlight their challenges and remarkable achievements.
“The journey is divided into five legs, with a crew changeover for each one: Falmouth to Chatham, Chatham to Edinburgh, Edinburgh to Oban, Oban to Liverpool, and Liverpool back to Falmouth.
“We are now officially halfway through the Full Circle expedition, and while it has been tough at times, it has strengthened our resilience and brought the crew closer together, reinforcing the important purpose behind every mile the crew sail.
“We would like to thank everyone who has come out to support the expedition and meet the crew so far, every bit of support means so much to us, and all goes to helping us raise funds to transform the lives of wounded, injured and sick veterans facing serious challenges.”
Paul Miller, Army veteran and skipper of Spirit of Falmouth, said: “Being part of this expedition fills me with real pride. It has reminded me how far I’ve come in my own recovery and how much further we can all go together. Sailing the Invictus Games Flag around the UK is deeply meaningful. It represents courage, determination and community – values that we must hold on to after military service ends.
“Taking the Invictus Flag on this journey feels especially meaningful. It carries the hopes of so many people rebuilding their lives through courage and community. Seeing Turn to Starboard and the Invictus Games come together in this way is powerful – every mile we sail, and every donation raised, helps build resilience and support the veteran community.”
Full Circle forms part of the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 Impact Programme. Through teamwork, challenge and time at sea, the expedition will help inspire the recovery and rehabilitation of WIS veterans who are suffering from trauma as a result of their service.
Captain Lee Hazard RN, Director of Special Projects, Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 said: “With the Invictus Games Flag onboard, these remarkable veterans led by Turn to Starboard will utilise their military skills to sail with purpose and skill. Full Circle shows that recovery doesn’t only happen on the field of play – it happens through challenge, connection and community.
“As we build towards Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, the Full Circle Expedition is helping the nation see the strength and resilience of those who serve today and those who have served before them.”
To follow the expedition on social media, visit www.turntostarboard.co.uk and www.invictusgames2027.org
