A hospice? I'd rather chase my dreams and sail solo around the British Isles

This 26-year-old has months to live. And she will face that challenge, she tells Alastair Hignell, by climbing into a boat named Fear, sailing into the English Channel - then 'turning right'

- Alastair Hignell

Jazz Turner is dying. She is 26. In December, she and her family took the decision to stop the invasive treatments that were prolonging her life. She was given six months to live.

Next month she will attempt to become the first disabled woman to sail solo and unassisted round the British Isles nonstop, and in the process raise at least £30,000 for Newhaven & Seaford Sailability.

The journey, which she casually describes as “get out into the English Channel, turn right”, is about 2,000 nautical miles and the weather conditions, even in summer, would be challenging enough for a non-disabled sailor.

Turner’s version of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome means she can’t bear any weight on her legs and her joints are in danger of dislocation. She is prone to random allergies and liable to pass out at any time, while gastrointestinal failure means that her digestive system is unable to properly process the food and drink she consumes.