Accu components power round-the world sailor in support of young adult cancer charity

Huddersfield-based precision engineering component company Accu is celebrating the success of Northumbrian adventurer and sailor Adam Waugh, who recently completed a 28,000-nautical-mile journey across some of the world’s most formidable oceans in a 19-foot yacht he built in his garden shed. Every nut, bolt and screw holding Little Wren together was supplied by Accu, whose high-performance components are trusted by engineers, innovators and manufacturers across the globe.

Adam Waugh from Northumberland chose to sail his 19ft yacht ‘Little Wren’ around the world in the inaugural Mini Globe Race to raise funds for Huddersfield-based charity Ella Dawson Foundation, a charity which provides much-needed mental, physical, and wellbeing support to young adults living with and beyond cancer. Adam successfully raised £60,000 for the charity. The Mini Globe Race is a solo, around-the-world sailing challenge that takes place over 14 months. Competitors sail in 19-foot Class Globe 5.80 yachts using 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.

As Adam’s official engineering components partner, Accu supported both an extraordinary human achievement and a charity whose mission is to help young adults live well and feel well through and beyond cancer.

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’, which was 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, Northumberland, in March 2024. Following successful sea trials in the UK, Little Wren was transported to Portugal, where in December 2024, Adam set sail on his Mini Globe Race challenge.

With the goal of successfully 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 because of its reputation as a world-renowned reliable supplier of high-quality, precision engineering components, including A4 Marine Grade Stainless steel screws, nuts, bolts and washers.

Matt Ogden, Communications & Partnerships Manager of Accu, said: “This really was a great opportunity for us to combine our passion for supporting incredible causes and phenomenal engineering feats. I’m so pleased we were able 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 played a part in ensuring Adam’s sail boat met the rigorous demands of the competition – and the seas!”

The voyage took Adam through the Panama Canal and across the Pacific Ocean, with stops in the Marquesas Islands, Tahiti, Tonga and Fiji. From there, he crossed the Indian Ocean, rounded the southern tip of Africa, and continued across the Atlantic via Saint Helena and Recife in Brazil, before completing the final leg to Antigua.

The journey was 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 have travelled around the world in a boat I built in my garden shed,” said Adam Waugh.

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 kept me going when it got 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. I am delighted with how Little Wren has stood up to so many challenges we’ve faced. I’m delighted to have partnered with Accu and grateful for the support of a fellow Huddersfield-based organisation, my chosen charity the Ella Dawson Foundation.’’

Jane Dawson, Founder of the Foundation, said: “We are thrilled and very grateful to both Adam and Accu 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.’’

When Adam crossed the finish line in Antigua on 9 March, he secured his place in history as the first Northumbrian known to have sailed solo around the world in a boat he built himself.

Adam’s journey is a testament to skill, determination and resilience, as well as the support of friends, family, and the wider community, all of whom have supported him and backed his fundraising for the Ella Dawson Foundation.

If you would like to learn more about the Ella Dawson Foundation visit https://elladawsonfoundation.org.uk/

Learn more about Adam Waugh’s journey here www.onemanoneboatonemission.co.uk

For more information about precision components from Accu visit www.accu.co.uk