3:33pm Wednesday 21st October 2009
By Sarah Cosgrove
THE youngest person to sail unassisted round the world was honoured at a special reception in Potters Bar on Saturday.
17-year-old Potters Bar resident Mike Perham, of Oakroyd Avenue, was given three surprise presentations at the event, at Potters Bar Golf Club in Darkes Lane, Potters Bar.
More than 100 of Potters Bar's finest attended, including James Clappison, MP for Hertsmere, Hertsmere councillors, Heather Valentine, the assistant chief constable of the Hertfordshire Constabulary, and Mr Perham's family, friends and club members.
Mr Perham was presented with two awards by the club, a Waterford Crystal yacht and an oil painting by Sir Stanley Simmons of the yacht Totally Money.com, in which he completed his epic voyage.
In addition, ACC Valentine presented Mike with a Certificate of Commendation.
Organiser Norman Simmons said: “We knew there was no yacht club in Potters Bar and as a group wanted to support him. As sportsmen we know a great achievement when we saw it. He's a remarkable boy and that's why everyone came and supported him.”
Cllr John Donne spoke of the many dangers Mr Perham had faced on his epic journey, which ended in August and James Clappison MP said his achievement was all the more notable for the fact that the voyage had not been uneventful and he had fearlessly overcome all of the dangers he had faced.
Mr Perham's father Peter said: “Mike didn't really know what he was going to get. He was surprised and delighted about what people thought about him.
“I think people in Potters Bar were very pleased to have the opportunity to congratulate Mike on his achievement.
“As a parent to listen to so many good words said about it was quite extraordinary.”
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