Reason to Live
A campaign to raise funds to send Peter Beardto the IFDS Worlds in Halifax, Canada in August 2014
Multiple System Atrophy
Just what is this disease and what changes has it made for Peter and Yve Beard ?
Peter Beard was diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy(MSA) in 2010, and since then both his and Yves lives have changed dramatically.
MSA is a rare neurological (brain)condition, caused by a gradual loss of nerve cells and shrinkage of the brain cells in the parts of the brain that control movement, balance and the automatic functions of the body. It is a progressive condition that as yet, has no cure.
Sailing was Pete's passion from the age of four, competing in Club racing, Regatta racing , blue water yacht races and International events over the years. In May 2012 . Pete joined his mates on S.V. Charlie's Dream to sail the Inaugural Brisbane to Noumea Race. It was to be his last ocean race.
Pete decided while in hospital in late 2013 that he needed a reason to live , a goal to look forward to and something that involved his passionate love of sailing.
The campaign was born.. Reason to Live became a reality when Pete chose as his goal, a determination to compete in the International Federation for Disabled Sailing (IFDS) World Championship in Canada in August 2014. He is planning to bring home a medal!
Held at the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron, close to Halifax, Pete, will be accompanied by crew Rachael Cox, an Australian Silver Medallist in the 2008 Beijing Para-Olympic Games.
Peter and crew Rachael, will be supported by Pete's wife Yve, Chief fundraiser, Graeme Boyd, and Ray and Marina Hobbs, along with members of their families, who will travel to Nova Scotia to witness the achievement of a dream that Pete has termed his Reason To Live.
It has been a journey of 7 months from its inception and 3 months of fund raising and organisation, with many obstacles and doubts. Despite all of this Yve, Graeme Boyd, David Hogg, and many others in the sailing community of Wynnum -Manly have rallied to assist Pete in achieving his goal.
On May 8th, Pete's Scud 18 arrived from Perth and he had a first look at the
boat that he was going to sail in Canada.
The container was delivered to Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron,
and with mounting excitement ,
Ray unlocked the container with Pete looking on
.. with a bit of grunt and a heave to.. Rachael, David and Ray with the help of Pete as
'doorstop' unload the container
By 6 pm on the first night, the crew were assembling the boat and
preparing for a launch the next day.
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