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'Tall ships giving me chance to do things people say I shouldn't be able to'

Grace McGroryin Hull
The photo shows a woman smiling at the camera. She's wearing a black beanie hat and a black hoodie. She's standing on a boat, and there are various ropes behind her. You can also see other boats in the marina in the background.
The photo shows two large ships, which are docked in a marina. They each have two tall posts, which have various flags attached to them. People are standing on a jetty in front of them. There are black railings in front of that, which have blue bunting hung from them. There are a collection of other ships in the distance.
Sue Johnson, 68, from Gloucestershire, served in the Women's Royal Army Corps (WRAC) Provost. She has multiple health conditions and says the voyage is giving her the chance to prove she can "do things that everyone else says you shouldn't be able to"
The ships, Spirit of Falmouth and Pellew, sailed into Hull Marina at 16:00 BST on Tuesday and have docked near the Spurn Lightship

Veterans sailing around the UK on two tall ships that have docked in Hull say the experience is doing them "the power of good".

The traditionally rigged ships are taking part in a 2,000-mile (3,200km) voyage, which has been co-ordinated by veteran charity Turn to Starboard.

The trip aims to raise money for the charity, as well as carrying the Invictus Games flag ahead of an event being held in Birmingham in July to signal one year to go until the 2027 games.

Veteran Sue Johnson, 68, said: "[It's] just giving me the chance to prove that I can do things that everyone else says you shouldn't be able to do. It just gives you power."

The tall ships voyage will visit 22 ports before returning to Falmouth in June

The Full Circle Expedition started in Falmouth in March and is stopping at 22 ports before returning in June.

The ships are crewed by 70 sick, injured and wounded veterans on a rotation.

The charity also hopes to raise £300,000 so it can purchase Pellew, one of the tall ships, to be able to continue to provide support to more veterans facing challenges, such as PTSD, physical injury and isolation.

On Thursday, veterans and reservists, and their families, can tour the ships between 09:00 and 12:00 BST.

Members of the public can then visit between 14:00 and 16:00.

The ships will then depart Hull the following morning at 06:00.

Entry is free and no tickets are required.

Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North.

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