“Before Toe in the Water people would say you can’t do that and I would just accept it but now I know that anything is possible. It has helped me start looking at what I can do now rather than what I can’t.”
Mark, REME

Our Chairman

“I am enthused and driven by the real difference Toe in the Water is making to our injured servicemen and the positive impact it is having on the military and sailing communities. It has helped to spread the message that there is hope for our injured servicemen and that the Armed Forces will do everything possible to assist them in getting the most out of life after injury. The healthy competition, team spirit and physical and mental challenge act as a catalyst for change and is inspiring our injured servicemen to believe in
themselves again. Our injured servicemen play an active role in competitively racing the boats at national level, with and against their able-bodied contemporaries and we have challenged not only our injured servicemen’s own expectations but also those of the people around them and proved that anything is possible. Our results speak volumes as to just how successful the Toe in the Water initiative is and it is down to the vision, commitment and determination of the people behind the programme who make it all work.” Major General Mike von Bertele OBE, Chairman, Toe in the Water

Major General Michael von Bertele is a Consultant Occupational Physician with a background in Aviation Medicine (he is an Army helicopter pilot and parachutist), and operational experience in Northern Ireland, the Falklands, the Balkans and the Gulf. He has been Commander Medical of regional and operational divisions, and served in HQ MND(SW) (Bosnia) in 1998, as the head of civil military co-ordination. He assisted in the formation of the first Multi-National Medical Unit in Sipovo in 1998, from which the UK, Canada and Netherlands provided role 3 support to the multi-national division for 5 years.

Toe in the Water is staffed almost entirely by volunteers from both the military and civilian communities, and is directed by Lloyd Hamilton and Tanya Brookfield, supported by Dr Tom Wood (Army), Jayne McLenaghan (DMRC), Jo Deakin (Royal Navy) and Kev O’Brien (RAF).

Lloyd Hamilton
DIRECTOR

Lloyd is a WO2 in the Royal Engineers and has served all over the world in the British Army since he was 16. He is also a hugely experienced sailor, having competed at national and international levels for many years in a variety of different boats, both within the military and in the civilian racing circuit. Having been involved with Toe in the Water from the beginning, it is this expertise which enables him to manage all aspects of our racing programme, ensuring we have the right people in the right boats at the right events.

Tanya Brookfield
DIRECTOR

Tanya has worked across a variety of marketing disciplines and sectors but it is her recent background in running professional yacht racing teams that makes her well-placed to take care of our fundraising, external relations, and general charity management functions. Having founded TOE IN THE WATER together with Holly King in July 2008, the day to day running of the organisation is managed by Tanya and the charity succeeds thanks to her dedication and enthusiasm. During the sailing events Tanya also coordinates all the shore side activities including logistics and media relations.

The People We couldn’t do without

The lynch pin for the whole Toe in the Water programme is the people. The core crew volunteers involved are drawn from both the military and civilian communities and the way in which everyone has embraced the charity and supported it in delivering its objectives has been overwhelming.

“The effectiveness of what we do and the impact we make is down to the dedication, skill and experience of the volunteers from both the civilian and military communities who so willingly give their time, all of which is borne out by the results – with more than 50% Top 10 finishes!”
WO2 Lloyd Hamilton, Director, Toe in the Water

Our Ambassadors

Brian Thompson

Brian Thompson is a vastly experienced and successful offshore racer. He is a huge figure in the world of offshore racing with more multi-hull sailing miles under his belt than any other Briton today. In all, Brian has held over 25 sailing records. Brian has supported Toe in the Water since the very first moment he learnt of the idea from Tanya and Holly. He has steadfastly shared his expertise, his racing experiences and his time with many of the injured servicemen and women who have raced with the project and even skippered for both the JP Morgan Round the Island Race and Cowes Week in 2009.
“I am really proud to have taken out the very first Toe in the Water sailors last summer on the Open 60 Pindar and to have won the Artemis Round the Island Race with a powerhouse Toe in the Water grinding team on board. Every time I go out with Toe in the Water sailors I am blown away by their talent, energy and aptitude for sailing - and their super positive attitude. The Toe in the Water programme is dynamic and energetic and making its mark on sailing regattas all over the UK. It has brought fun and competition to both the injured servicemen/women, not to mention the volunteers who love to be involved.” Brian Thompson www.brianthompsonsailing.com

Dee Caffari

Awarded an MBE in recognition of her solo circumnavigation against the prevailing winds and currents, Dee set a world record by becoming the first woman to complete this ‘wrong’ way round voyage in 2006. More recently Dee competed in the 2008/9 Vendée Globe – a race around the world, non-stop and alone, known within the sailing arena as the pinnacle offshore event. Dee crossed the finish line in 6th place out of the 30 starters. As the only female to sail solo, non-stop in both directions around the world, Dee added to her achievements in June 2009 by claiming the overall crewed monohull Round Britain and Ireland Speed Record, which now stands at 6 days 11 hours 30 minutes and 53 seconds. Dee joined the Toe in the Water crew for the first time for the Dartmouth Regatta in August 2009 and plans to race again with the team in 2010. www.deecaffari.com
“I enjoyed racing with Toe in the Water immensely and met a fabulous group of people. I really appreciated being made to be one of the gang and have a great time sailing with a great crew. Sailing with the Toe in the Water crew was a unique experience for me and one I hope I will repeat in the future. These guys will give everything to be at the front of the fleet. It was true competitive racing at its best.” Dee Caffari

Steve White

In November 2008 tenacious solo sailor, Steve White received an anonymous donation which enabled him to fulfil his dream – to race non-stop round the world in the infamous Vendée Globe race. The private backers were equally inspired by Steve, who displayed similar characteristics to those injured servicemen that they had met through Toe in the Water. They saw Steve’s Vendée Globe campaign as an opportunity to achieve two objectives: assisting Steve in achieving his dream and raising awareness for a worthwhile cause. Steve did both his backers and Toe in the Water proud by finishing in 8th place. www.whiteoceanracing.com
“Sailing round the world has been a huge challenge for me. Just getting to the start line was a feat in itself but that is nothing compared to the challenges that some of the injured guys face. I have huge admiration for them for what they’ve been through and for what they achieve through Toe in the Water. I have been honoured to carry the name and colours of Toe in the Water around the world.” Steve White

Whilst we are grateful to everyone who has generously given up their time to race with Toe in the Water, we’d like to say particular thanks to:

Our Core Race Crew

Nigel Amphlett, Paul Andersen, Nick Bishop, Giles Bradford, Glyn Deakin, Jo Deakin, Ryan Dean, Alex Friend, Josie Gibson, Rich Greener, Tom Hamilton, MJ Holt, Rebecca Marriott, Will MacKenzie Green, Kev O’Brien, Ben Rogerson, Jo Ryley, Jamie Smith, Stu Smith, Harry Spedding, Richard Tarr, Rachel Thompson, Alex Tucker

Our Shore Crew

Dave Angove, Debbie Barber, Tracie French, Jayne McLenaghan, Dusty Miller, Andy Newell, Kirsty Ross, Anna Wardley, Rachel Wood, Dr Tom Wood