The William Folley Gulliver Circumnavigation of the UK commenced June 20 from Shaldon going clockwise around the UK, raising funds for the RNLI.

After 1,529 nautical miles and 128.5hrs of motoring with 31 port entries and departures, Bill returned to Shaldon after completing a fabulous journey around the UK on 13 November 2022.

The trip wasn’t free of a couple of flaws. Starboard engine failure near Grimsby required Bill to call the coast guard and request assistance from the RNLI. The Humber crew, led by coxswain Joe, assisted and towed Bill into Grimsby.

Bill then carried on the trip on one engine, stopping at Newhaven to get repairs. Peter Leonard Marine replaced the defective fuel injector and Bill was able to re-join in Newhaven and proceed on the final South coast lag completing the voyage back in Teignmouth on Sunday, November 13.

A challenge which Bill had wanted to do for some time is now complete and the experience was, to quote Bill, ‘fantastic at times, not so great at others’.

During the voyage he experienced most helpful and friendly assistance and advice from Harbour Masters and staff all around the UK coast, in addition meeting with many friendly and interesting boat crews.

Adrian Knowles fundraising chairman for Teignmouth RNLI ‘extended his congratulations and thanks to Bill for his support and his wonderful achievement on behalf of all crew at Teignmouth RNLI’.

Once back on dry land, Bill and his friend Alex Lonsdale held a Karaoke evening at the Conservative club in Shaldon in January 2023, raising a further £1,440. This raised final donation from Bill’s adventure to an amazing £6,432.

Bill has expressed his thanks to ‘all those who supported him and gave generously to RNLI Teignmouth lifeboat, also a special thanks to Alex Lonsdale for her Karaoke fund raising effort’.