HomePeopleDRS managing director joins round-the-world yacht race crew

DRS managing director joins round-the-world yacht race crew

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Debbie Francis, the managing director of Direct Rail Services (DRS), has travelled to Australia to take part in a round-the-world yacht race.

Francis, who has no previous sailing experience, is taking on the Asia-Pacific Leg of the Clipper Race aboard the ‘Liverpool 2018’ yacht. She is completing the challenge in aid of Unicef.

From Australia’s east coast, Debbie will travel north to China, first stopping off at Sanya before continuing to Qingdao. The full course covers 40,000 nautical miles.

Debbie Francis said: “I have undertaken a few adventures during the last 10 years and was ready for a new challenge when I spotted the Clipper Race being advertised on the London Underground.


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“As soon as I read about it, I knew. I have never sailed in my life and this looked both physically and mentally demanding… Right up my street.”

She added: “I’ve challenged myself through many adventures over the last 12 years and it has given me a confidence I can’t explain. Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone enables personal growth and can make you a much stronger person. I’ve fundraised in the past for children’s charities and for the Clipper challenge I am fundraising for Unicef.”

Debbie will be out of the office until 21 March. In her absence, Chris Connelly is taking up the role of interim managing director and Beverley Stothart will cover Chris’ role as commercial and business development director.

You can donate by visiting Debbie’s fundraising page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/debsleg5

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