UNICEF Team and Skipper announced for the Clipper 2023-24 Race
15 June 2023
The Clipper Race and the Official Charity Partner UNICEF UK, have announced that UNICEF will be a Team Partner for the Clipper 2023-24 Race, with Dan Bodey as Race Skipper for the team.
Since 2015, the partnership has raised over £1.2 million, and aims to achieve a target of £365,000 for the upcoming 2023-24 edition.
Over the past eight years, a UNICEF Team yacht (affectionately known as the big blue yacht) has circumnavigated the globe four times, clocking up an impressive total of 160,000 nautical miles. This is an incredible achievement in raising global awareness for the children’s charity.
UNICEF relies entirely on voluntary contributions and donations. Its life-saving work is only possible through the generosity of its fundraisers. With support from the Clipper Race, UNICEF can make sure more children get the help they need to grow up happy, healthy, and safe.
Image: UNICEF team racing during the 2019-20 edition
Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive of The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) said: “I am thrilled that we are continuing to work in partnership with the Clipper Race this year. The crew, whilst enduring one of the biggest challenges across the world, have committed once again to raise funds for UNICEF’s emergency and development work around the world, and advocate for lasting change for children worldwide.
“I’m looking forward to following the adventures of the crew and would like to thank the Clipper Race, its crew and their families for the generous support that enables UNICEF to continue to work in some of the world’s toughest places, reaching the furthest from help, the most disadvantaged and the most at risk.”
During the Clipper 2019-20 Race, UNICEF had a successful race, with six podium finishes, one of which was a first place victory, and came fifth overall.
The AQP (First Mate) was Dan Bodey, who has returned for the 2023-24 edition as a Race Skipper, and will this time lead the UNICEF Team with AQP Laura Hampton.
Image: Dan Bodey UNICEF Team Skipper at the helm of a Clipper Racing Yacht
Dan 32, from Rayleigh, Essex, sailed dinghies and cruisers from a young age around the East Coast of the UK. Dan joined the Clipper 2019-20 Race on the UNICEF Team as a round the world crew member and quickly progressed to Watch Leader. Having taken a break from his civil engineering career to sail around the world, he fell in love with competitive ocean racing, and decided he wanted to make a profession out of his passion. Subsequently returning as AQP for the second half of the edition on the UNICEF Team, whilst logging over 50,000nm in the process. Dan is now ready to lead his team and help the crew achieve their own goals.
Dan said: “Having proudly sailed around the world as crew on board the UNICEF team and to return as its Skipper, is an honour.
“The team and I will fly the flag for UNICEF on the upcoming circumnavigation, raising awareness and much needed funds for the children's charity.”
Image: Laura Hampton UNICEF AQP during training on a Clipper Racing Yacht
UNICEF AQP, Laura Hampton, 22, from County Armagh, Northern Ireland, has had a lifelong ambition to circumnavigate the globe. With over 13 years sailing experience, which includes the ARC Transatlantic Race, being a Watch Leader on the Tall Ship Royalist and skippering a season in the Caribbean. Laura’s first experience with the Clipper Race was when she participated in the Our Isles and Oceans programme in 2022, experiencing training on a Clipper 68 on the West Coast of Scotland. Laura’s wealth of experience will be invaluable to her skipper and crew.
The UNICEF Team is made up of 65 crew members, 47 Men and 18 Women. There are nine Circumnavigators and 18 nations represented.
Professions range from Artificial Intelligence Software engineer, Professional Chef, Airline Pilot, Student, International Humanitarian Aid Expert.