Falmouth Charity Announces 2,000 Mile Voyage With Invictus Games Flag

A 2,000 mile circumnavigation of the UK has been announced, bringing together serving personnel and veterans who are wounded, injured or sick. The voyage, called Full Circle, will see two tall ships carry the Invictus Games flag around the country ahead of the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027.

The expedition has been coordinated by Falmouth sailing charity Turn to Starboard and the Invictus Games, with a fundraising target of £300,000 to support veterans and serving personnel affected by service.

The adventure will take just over 12 weeks, beginning on 17th March 2026 and returning to Falmouth on 11th June 2026, marking one year until the Games commences in Birmingham.

This week’s announcement also marks 600 days until the Invictus Games begin, with more than 70 crew members now in training.

A Voyage With a Mission

The Invictus Games flag is currently embarked on HMS Prince of Wales with the UK Carrier Strike Group. It will return to the UK in December before being handed to the Turn to Starboard crew.

On the expedition, the crews will sail aboard two traditionally rigged tall ships, Pellew and Spirit of Falmouth, calling at 22 ports across all four nations. The journey will be split into five legs:
Falmouth to Chatham, Chatham to Edinburgh, Edinburgh to Tanera, Tanera to Liverpool and Liverpool back to Falmouth.

Sally Terry, CEO of Turn to Starboard and expedition lead, said:
“T2S is proud to announce that this undertaking will be in partnership with the Invictus Games, uniting two organisations committed to empowering veterans through challenge, camaraderie and community.
Both believe in the transformative power of adventure and where the Invictus Games harnesses the spirit of sport to inspire recovery and rehabilitation, T2S channels the unique challenges of life at sea to rebuild confidence, find purpose and navigate life with intention and fulfilment for veterans.
This remarkable expedition is more than a voyage. It’s a powerful story of courage, service and renewal, a testament to how adventure and the sea can help heal, inspire and bring people together.”

Sally added:
“As a charity, we provide a unique, non-clinical environment where veterans can reconnect with themselves and others through the therapeutic power of sailing.
We hope this challenge will help us reach more veterans, highlight the challenges they face, and celebrate the incredible achievements made possible when opportunity meets determination.”

She also said:
“We hope the expedition will help us attract enough donations and sponsorship to buy the tall ship Pellew, adding her to the T2S fleet. Every donation makes a difference to supporting veterans with their mental well-being, building their resilience and restoring a sense of purpose.”

Veterans Leading the Way

Dan Fielding, a former Royal Marine and Turn to Starboard Chief Operating Officer and Yachtmaster Instructor, will also join the expedition as a Skipper. He said:
“This is a cause very close to my heart. I broke my back and later faced mental health issues before finding purpose through sailing with the charity.
From personal experience, I shut myself away for a long time, becoming a recluse that felt I was no good to society or to myself. Picking up the phone and taking that first step was the hardest thing in the world, but as soon as I called the charity, I wondered why I hadn’t done it sooner.
We have so many veterans who need our help, but we need another boat and help with running costs to keep this all going. It’s heartbreaking to have to turn anyone away, because when a veteran reaches out, they need you right then and there.”

Captain Lee Hazard MStJ KHP Royal Navy, Deputy Director Programmes and Impact Delivery for the Invictus UK 2027 Executive Team, added:
“With the Invictus Games flag on board, these remarkable veterans led by Turn to Starboard will sail with purpose and skill, showing us all the transformative power of teamwork on an epic adventure around the United Kingdom, before the flag continues to Birmingham for the Games in July 2027.
Full Circle’s mission is to help veterans overcome adversity, rediscover their strengths and create meaningful connections that last far beyond the field of play or the deck of a ship.
The project not only honours the sacrifices of those who have served, but also builds a lasting legacy of hope, healing and possibility.”

Follow the Journey

The Full Circle team will share updates on social media:
Instagram: fullcirclet2s
TikTok: fullcirclet2s
Facebook: Full Circle T2S

About the Ships

Spirit of Falmouth is an 80 foot gaff rigged schooner built in 1985, inspired by nineteenth century working schooners. She is constructed from oak and larch and serves as a sail training vessel for Turn to Starboard.

Pellew is the largest pilot cutter built by Cornish shipwright Luke Powell. Launched in 2020, she was built to the highest ocean going standards with watertight bulkheads and full offshore capability.

About Turn to Starboard

Turn to Starboard aims to harness the power of the sea to help veterans navigate their next chapter with confidence and purpose. The charity supports veterans and medically downgraded serving personnel through wellbeing sailing activities and RYA qualifications, helping them rebuild resilience and reconnect with life.

About Invictus Games Birmingham 2027

Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 will celebrate the unconquered spirit of wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans. The expanded programme will include new adaptive sports such as Pickleball, Laser Run and Esports, promoting wellbeing, inclusion and opportunity across Birmingham and the Midlands.

📷Credit Gareth Davies