The Crew

Fin Mitchell - Hobie Skipper and Challenge Leader

Fin 42, married to Caroline, has a 9 year old daughter Milly and lives in Rutland. He jointly owns and runs a Commercial Property Development Company that specialises in building industrial and office units. He would like to thank Mike his business partner to agreeing to this indulgence. Having obtained a degree from Oxford Brookes University he qualified as a Chartered Surveyor whilst working in London. Sailing began at the age of 8, when on family holidays in Devon, first in a Mirror progressing on to Lasers, Dart 16s and Sigma 33s and other yachts. In 1989 he was part of the delivery crew on a 60 ft yacht from Majorca to Antigua and is now a qualified Yacht Master. Hobie Challenger was bought in 2005 and sailed extensively since. His other interests include waterskiing, paragliding, riding, shooting, tennis, skiing and enjoying his family.

Stuart Newton - Hobie Crew

Stuart, married to Lisa, has two daughters Thea 7 and Tay 5 now lives in Leicestershire near Fin. Completing an HND in Business Studies at Ipswich and had a brief dabble in holography. He moved into business mortgage broking in London and specialises in the leisure industry with Whitbread Plc. He joined NAAFI some 10 years ago having various roles, most recently as their Operations Country Manager for Gibraltar, Belize and Brunei. He would like to thank NAAFI for allowing him this sabbatical and being able to take part in this very worthy challenge. Sailing started at 15 when he crewed a Mirror on the river Deben in Suffolk. In 2005 he took up the Hobie Challenge and is looking forward to helming a leg on this journey. His other interests include running (half marathon this year), cooking, golf and maintaining Lisa’s beloved Morris Traveller.

Peter Denford - RIB Skipper

Peter ,married to Patricia and has a daughter Joanne and two grandchildren. After serving 9 years in the Royal Marines, Peter spent the next 30 years in the Fire Service retiring in 2003. He now works as a self employed Fire Investigator for Infire Forensic. During his last 18 years in the fire service he was also a member of Exmouth lifeboat crew. A keen sailor he is also an RYA powerboat and dinghy instructor.

Charlie Birkett - RIB Assistant

Charlie 18 lives in Haslemere, attends Godalming College, studying maths, physics and ICT for A Level. A Member of Itchenor Sailing Club he has competed at club level in Mirrors, Toppers and 420’s as helm and crew. He is a member of the club rescue boat driver panel and in 2007 undertook over 100 hours of rescuing, mark laying, navigation and assisting the race officer.

Leslie Witard - RIB Assistant

Leslie has covered over 50,000 miles of ocean sailing. Her greatest challenge so far was as a crew member on Barclays Adventurer, a yacht in the 2004/5 Global Challenge finishing 2^nd out of a fleet of 12. She is thrilled to be a member of the Hobie Challenge Team and to give her support to Fin and Stuart during this most worthy fund raising venture.

Tony Derby - Shore Crew / Caravan Driver / Sous Chef

Tony 61, oriental carpet dealer, jazz lover, happy traveller, is looking forward to working with this great, enthusiastic team and seeing Scotland for the first time. Most important is the raising lots of money for Rainbows!

Giselle Letchworth - Shore Crew / Chef / Provisions

Giselle has been an occupational therapist in India and England, cooked in Greece and Switzerland, walked in Vietnam and skied in France, Switzerland, Austria and Italy. She is very much looking forward to exploring the coasts of England, Wales and Scotland and cooking in the caravan which in itself will be an adventure.

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