A FIRE-FIGHTER will sail almost 400 miles of treacherous coast in honour of his daughter.

Mick Coy is competing in the Three Peak Yacht Race to raise money for the hospitals and school which help 13-year-old Emily, who was left with severe brain damage after contracting meningitis aged two.

He and four friends will set off from Barmouth in Wales and stop off to climb and cycle up Snowdon, Scarfell Pike and Ben Nevis as they head to Fort William in Scotland.

Mick, a watch manager at Barnsley Fire Station, is leaving the mountaineering part of the challenge to the other four members of the crew.

But he is looking forward to navigating the difficult waters along the way. He said: “We go along the Menai Strait and one local man told me the only people who do that have engine failure or are in the race, he said it’s for lunatics.” The Beach Box's voyage starts on June 23 and will last about a week.

MIck hopes the yacht will be covered with flags sponsored by kind-hearted folk. He said: “Emily is looked after by Sheffield Children’s hospital and Great Ormond Street and goes to Greenacre School. Greenacre is such a fantastic place and there are many kids there who have got severe problems, it’s well worth supporting.”

To sponsor a flag send a £25 cheque for Emily's Fund to Greenacre School.