Hilary Lister

Hilary Claire Lister (3 March 1972 – 18 August 2018)

Lister was born in Hook in Hampshire, as the third of four children born to biochemist mother Pauline and vicar father Colin. Lister was able-bodied until the age of 15. She studied biochemistry at Jesus College, Oxford, between 1991 and 1995, having lost the use of her legs by then. She started a PhD at the University of Kent in 1996 but her condition deteriorated. She lost the use of her arms in 1999 and was unable to finish her doctorate, but was awarded an honorary doctorate by the university. She was introduced to sailing in 2003, which she commented gave her back her sense of freedom and "quite literally" saved her life. Bad weather and technical problems forced her to suspend the attempt on 13 August 2008.

On 21 May 2009, Hilary Lister resumed her attempt from Plymouth. By 14 August she had reached Bridlington, Yorkshire on the east coast. She reached the end of her journey, Dover in Kent, on the evening of 31 August 2009, becoming the first disabled woman to sail solo around Britain. and the Active Ashford Bursary. Kent County Council Invicta Award, April 2010