Quadriplegic yachtswoman in Britain launches sports bursary for disabled people

From BBC News:

A yachtswoman who became the first female quadriplegic to sail solo around Britain has launched a sports bursary to help disabled people.

Hilary Lister (pictured), 37, who lives near Canterbury, unveiled a scheme to help people in Ashford, Kent, meet the costs of travelling, coaching and equipment.

The bursary, run by the council and businesses, was launched 1,000 days before the London 2012 Paralympics.

Mrs Lister said the bursary was "incredibly important".

She said: "It's incredibly important that there is a separate sports bursary for people with disabilities, who often find it more expensive to train and to attend competitions than the able-bodied."

Chairman of Active Ashford, Graham Galpin, said: "You could not ask for a more inspirational person to support this scheme."

Mrs Lister sailed into Dover Harbour in August, after a three-month trip to sail solo around Britain.

Her journey took her along the coastline of Wales, the east coast of Ireland, Scotland and the east coast of England.

Her specially-adapted vessel, an Artemis 20 called Me Too, was designed to be operated through three "straws".

They allowed her to control the boat using a "sip-and-puff" system.

Geoff Holt was the first quadriplegic yachtsman to sail single-handed around Britain in 2007.