Adam, a 60-year-old sailor from Northumberland, is embarking on an epic solo circumnavigation of the globe in the inaugural McIntyre Mini Globe Race. His vessel, Little Wren, is a 19ft boat he built by hand in his garden shed—without prior boatbuilding experience.
Adam’s mission is not just to conquer the world’s toughest oceans but to raise vital funds for the Ella Dawson Foundation, supporting young adults living with cancer.
Join us as we follow Adam’s inspiring challenge: One Man. One Boat. One Mission.
The Mini Globe Race is an inaugural, groundbreaking sailing event that challenges 15 competitors to circumnavigate the globe solo in identical 19ft Class Globe 580 boats. It’s a true test of human resilience, courage, and bravery, pushing sailors to their physical and mental limits as they battle unpredictable seas, extreme weather conditions, and complete isolation for weeks at a time.
The qualifying leg of the race (Globe 5.80 Transat – A mini adventure 3,600 miles across the Atlantic.) started in Portugal on December 27th, 2024, and challenges the participants to navigate the Atlantic to arriving in Antigua in early February 2025. This will be a first ever ocean crossing for Adam and Little Wren.
Following successful qualification of Globe 5.80 Transat – A mini adventure 3,600 miles across the Atlantic. the first ever Mini Globe Race starts on February 23rd, 2025, where sailors will embark on 5 gruelling legs via Panama, Fiji, Cape Town, Recife and back to Antigua. This demanding race is not just a competition of speed but of endurance, determination, and survival.
Adam’s journey began in 2022 with a simple idea and a shed in Bolam, Northumberland. Over two years, Adam transformed raw materials into Little Wren, named after a tiny bird, that nested in the shed during construction. In March 2024, the boat was launched in Amble Marina and tested in UK waters before being transported to Portugal for the race.
Every year, 4,693 young people aged 15-29 in the UK hear the words ‘you have cancer’ (Cancer Research UK). But what happens next? For many, lives are turned upside down, medical treatment begins, but emotional, psychological, and wellbeing support is often harder to find.
After being diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia at 22, Ella Dawson set out to change that— creating a wellbeing blueprint to show how and why young people need to be better supported holistically. The Ella Dawson Foundation is her legacy.
At the Ella Dawson Foundation, we know firsthand the power of timely, tailored support. Our mission is to ensure every young adult diagnosed with cancer—and their families—have the tools and support they need to live well and feel empowered.
Through expert-led clinical psychology, counselling, exercise rehab, nutrition, and holistic wellbeing programmes, we’re building a community where young people and their families can live well with and beyond cancer.
Find out more
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without the Ella Dawson Foundation. I now have my life back and have even become a nurse to support children with cancer.”
Stay updated on Adam's progress with blog posts, photos, and live updates from the race.
Join the Adventure. Support the Mission. Make a Difference.
