Emma Phillips, 14, from Newton Abbot, a member of the Topper South West Zone Sailing Squad, took part in a 25-mile charity sailing challenge on Saturday.

Along with 17 other squad sailors, Emma, a student at South Dartmoor Community College, Ashburton, sailed from Plymouth to Fowey.

The event was held to raise money for the RNLI, National Coastwatch, Fowey Gallants Youth Sailing and ITCA Topper South West Training funds.

Said Emma, who is a member of Starcross Yatch Club: 'The event also helped give the Topper dinghy the credit it deserves – it is a great boat for beginners as well as being popular among championship sailors.'

The Toppers departed the Mount Batten Sailing Centre at 10am in blue skies with a steady north-easterly wind blowing. The conditions could not have been better, said Emma

The sailors set out across Plymouth Sound aiming for Rame Head.

'On the way we made great progress, the wind behaved and gave us a steady 13 knotts,' Emma added.

'We sailed across Whitsand Bay and were about three miles off shore when the north west wind began to drop and a sea breeze filled in.

'As the wind began to decrease, progress slowed, but that didn't dampen our spirits and before we knew it we could see Fowey in the distance.

'We finally arrived at the finish line at 5.30pm after being out at sea for seven-and-a-half hours.'

The event raised £5,000.

Emma has competed in many local and national events this year, and is currently leading the South West Series.

'Sailing has given me the chance to travel all over the country.

'I have gained so much experience and am grateful to my parents who have made all my achievements possible.

'My aim for next year is to get selected for the national squad,' she said.