Congratulations, Paul!

Everyone at Mercy Ships UK has been celebrating this week after Britain’s Paul Goodison won Gold in the Laser sailing at the Olympics.

Only two weeks ago, Paul pledged his support to Mercy Ships while he was out in China preparing for the Olympics and we are looking forward to working with him over the coming years.

“Paul’s persevered through a lot of highs and lows, working towards this goal for over 14 years,” said Mercy Ships Procurement Director Russ Holmes, who has known the sailor since he was a child growing up in the same town. “He nearly quit the sport a couple of years ago. It’s just one more reminder to never give up on a dream,”   he commented. 

Holmes said that Sheffield-born Goodison took up sailing with his dad when he was 12 after being benched by a football injury. 

In his endorsement announcement earlier this month, Goodison had commented, "The work Mercy Ships does to supply people around the world with much needed medical care is fantastic and I am excited about being able to help spread the message.”

The Olympics has created a real buzz on our Mercy Ship in Liberia.  With more than 30 nationalities represented on board the Africa Mercy, the games have provided another opportunity to celebrate the multi-national nature of the ship. 

In between surgeries, at mealtimes and in the midst of a busy schedule in the wards, both the medical and non-medical volunteers onboard have celebrated each other’s national victories – with a little bit of rivalry thrown in!

Congratulations, Paul!