AS I type I’m forcing myself to stay awake due to excessive fatigue. I also have tired, yet toned arms from grinding continuously, can just about feel the tips of my fingers and have stiff, weak hands.

Yes, this is the aftermath of my epic five days away last week where I helped sail a Volvo Ocean 65 from Belfast Marina.

I sailed around the south coast of England, travelled up the Thames to Tower Bridge and finally docked at HMS Belfast, all in aid of Sport Relief.

  • To donate to Sport Relief, see details below

When I received the email asking to me to take on the challenge, it was a definite 'no'.

The word ‘crazy’ came into my head, along with a few others if I’m honest. I’m not a fan of the cold and I certainly don’t like water, especially as I’d only just started swimming lessons the week before.

However, before I knew it, I was signed up along with five other familiar faces and in full on training mode for a challenge I had no idea how difficult it would be.

On board there were six professional sailors including Dee Caffari MBE, the first woman to sail around the world solo, non-stop in both directions, Ian Walker who has won two Olympic sailing silver medals and Phil Harmer who has won the Volvo Ocean Race twice – as you can see I was in highly esteemed company.

Now this wasn’t a champagne cruise, oh no. I was part of a sailing team and that meant integrating into the whole experience whether I liked it or not.

I was on a four-hour watch system, during which time I helped put up and take down sails, cooked meals of not so tasty freeze dried food, used the primitive toilet facilities and slept on a bunk that needed to be elevated to ensure I didn’t fall out.

You may think it didn’t sound too bad, but trying to do all that when a boat is rocking around in seriously choppy seas on the English Channel while at a 45-degree angle.

It really was hard work but luckily, I was the only ‘non-professional’ who didn’t get sea sick. Thank heavens!

It truly was a test of mind over matter in the end and I took it all in my stride; although I’m pleased to be back on terra firma.

As I said, this was all in aid of charity and the total so far is more than £1 million which is absolutely incredible.

Thank you so much for all your support and donations, it really has meant a lot and will go to some worthy causes. There’s still time to donate if you’d like. If it's £5, text Help to 70005 or if it's £10, text Help to 70010.

All that’s left to say is that the next boat I’m on (if it happens) will be one sailing around the Caribbean and I now need to book my next swimming lesson! Let’s get back to some form of normality.