Page 4 - RLI September 2019

who’s who...

SITS DOWN WITH
FOUNDER AND PUBLISHER
Jayne

Rafter

We catch up with RLI Publisher, Jayne Rafter before she sets sail, Q. How are you currently feeling?
racing over 7,000 nautical miles across the Atlantic Ocean in aid A. Apprehensive and excited at the same time as it has come around
of Unicef to Help Children in Danger. very quickly, having just competed all training. Following shoulder
surgery in January for a Rotator Cuff Repair, it was touch and go
Q. Tell us about your forthcoming challenge. whether I would actually make the race, but intensive physio and
A. I am taking part in ‘The Clipper Round The World Yacht Race’ to training has made it possible.
raise money for Unicef, the world’s leading children’s organisation.
Q. What are the biggest fears facing you right now?
Q. Why Unicef? A. The Bay of Biscay as I have heard it can be quite daunting and
A. Unicef works to protect children in danger, transforming their lives treacherous, but aside of this, my fears are not really to do with the
and building a safer world for them. They work in 190 countries and race, its more how I am going to say goodbye to my family at Race
monies donated actually go to ensuring more of the world’s children Start, I am a very emotional person and hate goodbyes. Also having
are fed, vaccinated, educated and protected unlike other organisations. no connectivity with the outside world, those who know me know
I continuously check and reply to emails day or night, so this will be
Q. What is the Cipper Race? a big challenge. That said, the immense satisfaction that you get from
A. The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is a sailing race around the knowing that you are making a difference makes it all worthwhile.
world in eight legs, with trained amateur crew members. The organisers
own a fleet of 11 identical yachts, the Clipper 70, and provide qualified Q. What about the magazine, you will be missing two issues
skippers and additional qualified persons to lead each team. including the most sought after November MAPIC issue?
A. I have a great team behind me and I have made inroads into securing
Q. How are you participating in the race? space already. I will be proofing the October issue from Portugal during
A. I am taking part in Leg One, The Atlantic Trade Winds Leg from our brief stopover and then the MAPIC issue from Uruguay once we
London to Punta Del Este in Uruguay. A grueling, 7,250 nautical mile race finally arrive in port. I am a bit of a control freak so making sure that I
across the Atlantic Ocean, starting on the 1st of September with a pit have full sign off of each issue remains a top priority.
stop in Portimao, Portugal before routing towards the Canaries to seek
the trade winds to take us towards the Equator and onto South America. Q. What do you hope to achieve through this challenge?
A. People say it’s a life changing experience, let’s see. After spending up
Q. Why did you decide to take on such a challenge? to 6 weeks away from home with a crew of 20 people I’m suspecting I
A. This is the big question, my husband thinks it’s a mid-life crisis but will lose my OCD and who knows maybe I will come back with a less
I have always challenged myself as a person, both professionally and stressed outlook on life.
personally to achieve something greater. I came across this opportunity
nearly three years and thought how good it would be to channel my Q. Any final thoughts or anything else you would like to add?
enthusiasm and determination into making a difference in the world. A. I would like to thank all my family, friends and colleagues for their
encouragement and guidance over the last twelve months and to
Q. What do you mean by difference? those who have supported me so far. I am hoping to do a blog on
A. I have been fortunate enough to be chosen as a member of the board for you all to follow and it would be great to get as many of our
Unicef Team. During my travels around the world as Publisher of RLI, I readers as possible to help me, help every child in danger around the
have seen first-hand children living on the streets in squalor. Supporting world. Thank you for your continued support and see you at MAPIC
Unicef gives me an opportunity to make a difference no matter how to tell my tale.
small. Every child deserves a future that includes clean water, sanitation,
nutrition, education and health care and above all to be safe from If you would like to support Jayne in her challenge please visit:
danger and atrocities bestowed upon them. www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jayne-rafter

04 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL SEPTEMBER 2019