Invictus Games flag voyage sets off from Cornwall
Turn to StarboardWounded, injured and sick veterans and serving personnel have begun their journey to carry the Invictus Games Flag around the UK.
Two traditionally rigged tall ships, the Sprit of Falmouth and the Pellew, have set sail from Falmouth, Cornwall, as part of the 12-week, 2,000-nautical-mile (3,700km) Full Circle expedition.
Army veteran and Spirit of Falmouth skipper Paul Miller said being part of the expedition filled him with "real pride", adding carrying the flag around the UK was "deeply meaningful".
The voyage is co-ordinated by veteran sailing charity Turn to Starboard and delivered in partnership with Invictus Games Birmingham, taking place in 2027.
Turn to StarboardThe games, founded by Prince Harry in 2014, are for wounded, injured and sick military service personnel.
Miller said: "It has reminded me how far I've come in my own recovery and how much further we can all go together.
"It represents courage, determination and community - values that we must hold on to after military service ends."
He said the flag carried the "hopes of so many people rebuilding their lives through courage and community".
"Every mile we sail, and every donation raised, helps build resilience and support the veterans community," Miller added.
The charity said the voyage was being crewed by a rotating team of 70 veterans and serving personnel, and would be sailing anti-clockwise around the UK.
The vessel is due to visit 22 ports across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, before returning to Falmouth on 11 June.
Along the way, the charity said the crew would carry the Invictus Game Flag to "build momentum" towards the one-year-to-go event at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in July.
'Truly transformative'
CEO of the charity Sally Terry said both organisations were committed to supporting veterans through "challenge, camaraderie and community" and united in the belief adventure could be "truly transformative".
"Full Circle is more than a voyage – it's a powerful story of courage, service and renewal," Terry said.
"It shows how adventure can bring people together and help veterans navigate the next chapter of their lives."
To date, seven Invictus Games have been held and brought together 25 nations and more than 3,000 competitors.
Turn to StarboardIn February 2025, the games took place in Vancouver Whistler in Canada, featuring 534 competitors in the first games to feature winter sports.
The organisation said recovery remained at the heart of the event by providing a structured pathway for participants with physical and non-visible injuries and driving wider social change by challenging perceptions of disability and strengthening the connection between the Armed Forces and society.
The first leg of the route is: Falmouth, Plymouth, Weymouth, Portsmouth, Ramsgate and Chatham.
Crew member Dave Issitt said it was a "big change" after being in the service where you are told "what to do, where to be, when to be there" to suddenly having to do it all yourself.
Gareth James, former Royal Marine and skipper, for Turn to Starboard, said his role was really rewarding because the charity helped veterans going though their own journey.
He said: "People say it all the time, as soon as they come on board, whatever struggles they're going through themselves, as soon as we get out and get the sails up, people naturally open about anything and everything."
Opening up about his own experience, former Royal Navy submariner Keith Burtt, said he struggled post service.
"I went into a dark place, not knowing what to do. At the time I didn't know what to do, particularly as I came out due to ill health," he said.
Asked what he loved about being out at sea, he said "the freedom".
"I know that after this three-week trip, I'm going to sleep for days.
"It's just amazing."
Mike Trebilcock left the Army in 2007 and said he had never been on a sailing boat before the expedition.
He said he was "lucky" and "had a great career" but said not everyone is as fortunate as him.
Trebilcock said he wanted to help "veterans find their way when they've lost that purpose they had when they were serving and now trying to navigate civilian life".
He said the trip "gives them a chance to reunite and bond" with fellow servicemen and women and "help find that purpose again".
Rachel Dawson, 64, from Lichfield, said it was "amazing" to be a part of and it was the first time she had "done anything like this" since she left the navy in 1985.
She said she suffered badly with her mental and physical health and "did not see a future" but, with the support from Turn to Starboard "a light came on".