9:31am Wednesday 20th January 2010
By Hannah Baker
Mike Perham, who last year became the youngest person to sail solo around the globe, has given an inspirational talk to excluded young people in Bradford.
The 17-year-old, who sailed single-handedly across the Atlantic at the age of 14, visited youngsters at Bradford-based The Lighthouse Group (TLG).
The teenager spent five months at sea and travelled about 30,000 nautical miles to complete his round-the-world voyage.
Mike visited the charity as part of his ‘Live the dream’ programme, which aims to encourage young people to achieve the extraordinary.
Teenagers at the charity were shown footage of his round-the-world trip before being asked about their own dreams.
Mike said: “I’m a normal guy but if you put your mind to something and remain focused then anything is possible.
“I started off as a complete unknown, I approached thousands of sponsors but the only reason I got sponsors to buy into the project was because they could see the passion behind my dream.
“There were times during my trip when I thought ‘what am I doing?’ I have learned that you have to remain positive.
“Hopefully through my stories I can show dreams can be achieved.”
Tim Morfin, chief executive of TLG, said: “Mike connected with the young people in a way only a young person can. He’s a teenager and has shown he really is just an ordinary guy who has done an extraordinary thing. His visit struck a chord with one of the single biggest issues for young people here. They have lost hope because of the circumstances they have experienced. What Mike has done is show them it’s possible to have hope.” Amie Gallagher, 16, of Holme Wood, said: “Mike’s an inspiration and he’s only a year older than me. I’d like to go to Africa and work with street children.”
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