DARING sailor Ray Rhoades is setting off for the mysterious Bermuda Triangle in a bid to raise cash for children suffering with a condition that blisters the skin at the slightest touch.

He is aiming to raise £40,000 for a local-linked charity DEBRA, which raises funds for research into the condition that has affected baby Harry Hogg, as reported on pages 1 and 2.

Mr Rhoades will undertake his epic voyage aboard his small boat Dawn of Chichester.

Measuring just 26ft, and made of wood, she seems an unlikely vessel to venture on an 8,000-mile voyage, crossing the Atlantic twice. But, intrepid Hampshire sailor Ray Rhoades has more motivation than most.

DEBRA supports families living with epidermolysis bullosa or EB for short. Sufferers are born with skin so delicate that even a hug can cause horrific blistering.

Their skin is as fragile as a butterfly's wings and for that reason they are often called "butterfly children".

Ray, 59, from Portsmouth, has been supporting the charity for the past three years after seeing one of their leaflets with pictures of sufferers. He said: "DEBRA is such a worthy cause. I'm doing it for the kiddies. The NHS doesn't want to know and there are only two nurses in the whole of the UK who specialise in treating them.

"Unfortunately, we haven't been lucky in getting any major sponsors."

Ray will leave Shamrock Quay, Northam, at noon tomorrow. A boat builder before he retired, Ray has been sailing since he was five, and has crossed the Atlantic before. In his eight-month voyage he will sail to Gibraltar, Gran Canaria, St Lucia, Puerto Rico, Bermuda and the Azores before returning to Southampton.

He will be joined on some of the legs by companions, but when he is on his own, books, music and the occasional cigarette will occupy his time. Even the reputation of the Bermuda Triangle isn't enough to put him off. "Everyone asks me if I'm worried about that, but there isn't anything happening in that area.

"To be honest, I'm more concerned about the Bay of Biscay, which can be either calm or rough. I shall sit at Falmouth and wait for a window in the weather."

He added: "I'm really looking forward to it. Dawn of Chichester is very seaworthy and I'm taking all the necessary safety precautions - I'm no fool."

The charity was founded in 1978 by Phyllis Hilton after her daughter, Debra, was born with EB. Phyllis now lives at Hythe .

DEBRA receives no public funding and relies totally on voluntary support to fund vital research.

Fundraiser Laura Pratt said: "EB really is the worst condition you've never heard of. The research is currently at a crucial and exciting stage and any help the charity receives is of enormous importance."

If you would like to sponsor Ray in his sailing venture, ring the DEBRA office on 01344 771961.

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