A ONCE in a lifetime trip around the world lies in store for an intrepid adventurer.

And Mark Sutcliffe got the chance to see what lies ahead as he watched the Clipper 05-06 Round The World Yacht Race launch from Liverpool.

Mr Sutcliffe, a leisure consultant from Stockton Heath, will join the fifth and seventh legs of the adventure early next year but climbed on board last week as 100,000 watched the ships leave the Albert Dock.

The 43-year-old is hoping to raise £30,000 for two children's charities on the trip - the UK-based Children With Leukaemia and Operation Smile-Vietnam, an international charity that carries out reconstructive surgery on children with facial abnormalities.

And he said the weekend provided a fantastic insight into what to expect on the trip.

He added: "It was a fantastic weekend and the crowds showed the level of interest there is in the race."

Like the rest of the 16-strong crew, Mr Sutcliffe is an amateur - although the boats are skippered by professional sailors.

The fifth leg races from China to Canada (via Yokohama in Japan) while the final leg runs between the Caribbean and Liverpool (via New York and Jersey).

"I'll be doing the first on my own but my wife Rachel will meet me in New York during the final leg which should be excellent," he added.

He is looking for both corporate sponsors and individual donations, with every penny going to charity.

And a charity ball is being organised to raise money at the Lord Daresbury on February 4.

Tickets and information on all sponsors are available by calling Victoria Howarth on 0161 7764363, or by e-mailing victoriahowarth@strategic

leisure.co.uk