Watch: Darren completes first leg of poignant dream voyage

The Coshquin native blogged: “Well, we’ve made it as far as Howth marina, Dublin. I have returned home for a few days to rest and attend to some medical issues.

“I have returned home for a few days to rest and attend to some medical issues. There’s a problem with the boat; the foresail roller reefing system has jammed up, making us unable to continue until this is resolved.”

Once this has been completed Darren and the rest of the ‘Stoney B’ crew hope to set off on the next leg of the trip down the Leinster coast and around the Munster seaboard.

“I hope to go down to get this sorted and continue south to Arklow in Wicklow, Kilmore Quay, Youghal and Kinsale. Once we’re in Kinsale we’re almost half way - that’s the next leg.

“Going around the south west tip of Cork into Bantry Bay, then on to Dingle - we’re over half way at this point, there’s no turning back now.

“I’ve travelled extensively to every county in Ireland. I’m fascinated by its old fairs and culture from Ballycastle to Ballinasloe from Kilrickle to Killorgan.

“Now I get a chance to sail around its coast, I can’t wait to sail up around Donegal, my jewel in the crown. Past Slieve League, around Bloody Foreland to the home run, please god my health will hold up.”

You can still get behind his fundraising effort by texting a donation to 70070 with the words SAIL64 £10 or your chosen amount or visit www.justgiving.com/darrenrobbsailing webpage. You can also visit his http://sailforcancer.blogspot.co.uk/