Accu Components Power Solo Sail Around the World in Support of Young Adult Cancer Charity, Ella Dawson Foundation

Huddersfield-based precision engineering company Accu is celebrating the launch of its partnership as engineering components supplier to adventurer and sailor Adam Waugh, who is solo sailing his self-built 19ft yacht Little Wren around the world in the inaugural Mini Globe Race to raise funds for Huddersfield-based charity Ella Dawson Foundation.

The Mini Globe Race is a solo, around-the-world sailing challenge covering approximately 28,000 nautical miles over 14 months. Competitors sail in 19-foot Class Globe 5.80 yachts on traditional seamanship and navigation skills. The race tests endurance, skill, and resilience, taking sailors through some of the world’s most remote and challenging waters.

Every nut, bolt and screw holding Little Wren together has been supplied by Accu, whose high-performance components are trusted by engineers, innovators and manufacturers across the globe. As Adam’s official engineering components partner, Accu is supporting both an extraordinary human achievement and a growing charity whose mission is to help young adults live well and feel well through and beyond cancer.

Inspired by the work and mission of the Ella Dawson Foundation, which provides much-needed mental, physical, and wellbeing support to young adults living with and beyond cancer, Adam challenged himself to raise £100,000 during his solo circumnavigation of the world and has already raised over £50,000 to support the Huddersfield-based charity

A retired stockbroker, Adam 61, only began sailing in 2017 and with no prior boatbuilding experience, he built Little Wren from plans he purchased for just £300. Almost every step of the build was a steep learning curve. He spent as much time behind a computer screen, studying other builders’ blogs, speaking to experienced boatbuilders, and researching construction techniques as he did physically building the yacht. 

Adam’s epic voyage began as a personal challenge and labour of love. In early 2022, he started building ‘Little Wren’, named after a wren that nested in his shed during construction. The build spanned two years, often through long, cold nights, before she was launched from Amble Marina in March 2024.

With the goal of successfully completing the 28,000-nautical-mile solo circumnavigation, crossing some of the world’s most challenging ocean conditions, Adam was meticulous in selecting components and suppliers critical to the structural integrity of Little Wren. He chose Accu, given their status as a world-renowned reliable supplier of high-quality, precision engineering components.

Following successful sea trials in the UK, Little Wren was transported to Portugal, where in December 2024, Adam set sail on his 28,000-nautical-mile Mini Globe Race challenge.

Adam has now been at sea for over 11 months having sailed 21,000 of 28,000 nautical miles needed to complete the circumnavigation.  The journey has taken him first across the Atlantic, his first ever ocean crossing, the vast Pacific Ocean and he has now completed crossing most of the Indian Ocean before heading back up the Atlantic to the start of the race, Antigua. He has sailed through some of the world’s most stunning but unforgiving waters. 

The journey to date has been physically and emotionally demanding, with days and nights spent navigating treacherous conditions, 5–6 metre seas, 30–40 knot winds, broken ribs and injury as well as extended periods in the doldrums.  

“It’s surreal to be more than halfway around the world in a boat I built in my garden shed,” said Adam Waugh, who has just arrived for a brief stop in Durban. 

He continues; “There have been huge highs and lows, storms, injuries, and many sleepless nights navigating treacherous seas but knowing I am raising money to support young people through and beyond cancer keeps me going when it gets tough. It took me two years to build Little Wren, and I’m very proud that she was built with the help of Accu’s precision engineering components. After 11 months at sea, I am delighted with how Little Wren has stood up to so many challenges we’ve faced to date. I’m delighted to have partnered with Accu and grateful for their support of a fellow Huddersfield-based organisation, my chosen charity the Ella Dawson Foundation’’

Matt Ogden, Communications & Partnerships Manager of Accu, said:

“This really is a fantastic and unique opportunity, one that combines our passion for supporting incredible causes and phenomenal engineering feats. I’m so happy we get to not only raise funds for the Ella Dawson Foundation - a local charity, who do such incredible work to support young people through cancer treatment and recovery - but to be able to see our components used by Adam to build and sail Little Wren in the inaugural Mini Globe Race Challenge. Truly, it’s a testament to his determination and willpower and we’re delighted that our marine-grade fasteners are ensuring his sail boat is capable of the rigorous demands of the competition - and the seas!”

Jane Dawson, Founder of the Foundation, said:

“We are thrilled to be partnering with a fellow Huddersfield-based organisation, Accu, and very grateful to both Accu and Adam for their phenomenal support of our work. As a young and growing charity, we are proud to collaborate in this way, enabling us to meet increasing demand and deliver more life-changing mental, physical, and wellbeing support for young adults living with and beyond cancer, and for their families’’

Supporters can track Little Wren’s journey, follow Adam’s updates, and donate to his £100,000 fundraising goal for the Ella Dawson Foundation at: www.onemanoneboatonemission.org.uk