A teenager from Weybridge is set to sail around Britain to raise money for the cash-strapped Sam Beare Hospice.

Richard Barth, 16, who is studying for his GCSEs at Epsom College, will embark on the 1,900 mile journey from Gosport on Wednesday, June 23.

A crew of family and friends will then help him skipper his father’s 38ft yacht.

Richard said he wanted to help the Weybridge High Street-based hospice because it cared for two people very close to him.

He said: “Sailing has been a passion for all the 16 years of my life and I have sailed in 12 different countries and feel that I now have sufficient experience to be able to take on this challenge. My late grandmother Christina and my father’s late friend and sailing partner of 30 years, John McCullagh, both received outstanding care in the last weeks of their lives at the Sam Beare Hospice.”

Last year, the hospice launched an appeal after it was forced to shut its day care services due to a decline in donations. The day care service is now open again, but for just one day a week.

Mary Lacy, the hospice’s director of fundraising, said “ With people like Richard doing such wonderful things to raise money for us, we are hoping to offer a full service again soon.”

To sponsor Richard, visit justgiving.com/Richard-Barth.