Perham to be honoured at Potters Bar ceremony (From Times Series)

Perham to be honoured at Potters Bar ceremony

10:59am Tuesday 13th October 2009

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THE teenager from Potters Bar who this year became the youngest person to sail unassisted around the world will be honoured at a special reception in his home town.

Mike Perham, 17, finished his epic 158-day voyage on August 29 and returned home to a thunderous reception.

His trip took him via Cascais, Las Palmas, Cape Town, Hobart, Auckland and Panama - but residents of Potters Bar are keen that he never forgets his roots.

The Potters Bar Golf Club, in Darkes Lane, is hosting a ceremony in his honour from 3pm to 6pm this Saturday to congratulate him on his breathtaking achievement.

Around 120 people are expected to attend the event. Special guests include Mayor of Hertsmere Rosemary Gilligan, 20 Hertsmere councillors, Hertsmere MP James Clappison, several of Mike's former teachers and three yachting enthusiasts.

Three surprise presentations are also due to be made to the youngster to recognise the impact his record-breaking endeavour has had on the locality.

Social club member Norman Simmons, 76, one of the main organisers of the event, said: "Getting everyone to come along was not difficult. All appreciated Mike and thought it would be lovely to do something for him.

"It really is a fantastic, remarkable achievement, and I appreciate it even more now I have spoken to a few yachtsmen and realised the stress he must have gone through."

Mike, from Oakroyd Avenue, first hit the headlines two years ago when he became the youngest person ever to sail across the Atlantic single-handed at the age of 14.

He now replaces 17-year-old American teenager Zac Sunderland in the record books, who returned to Los Angeles in July to claim the youngest solo record.

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