Smith Ocean Projects
The Mission
One race. One cause. One chance to change the conversation around Parkinson's disease.
Campaign Fundraising Goal
€1,000,000
Every sponsorship, donation, and partnership goes directly to Parkinson's Ireland, Parkinson's UK, and the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
Why We Race
More Than a Race
Karl Smith's entry into the Global Solo Challenge is not simply a sporting endeavour. It is a deliberate, purposeful campaign built around a cause that touches millions of lives, including his own family.
Karl's father, Peter, lives with Parkinson's disease. That personal reality is the engine behind everything, the sleepless nights of preparation, the thousands of miles of qualifying passages, and the commitment to raise over €1 million for Parkinson's research and support.
The ocean is Karl's platform. A solo circumnavigation commands attention, generates media, and creates a story that people follow. That attention is the campaign's most powerful asset, and every moment of it is directed towards Parkinson's awareness and fundraising.
This is what the mission looks like; one race, one cure. 30,000 NM for a cause worth every wave.
The Campaign
Three Pillars
Race
Karl Smith will sail solo, non-stop, and unassisted around the globe in the Global Solo Challenge, covering 30,000 miles across the world's most demanding oceans. Every mile sailed is a mile in service of the cause. This is where your corporate sponsorship opens the door for the second pillar.
Fundraise
The campaign targets over €1 million in fundraising for Parkinson's research and support. Every donation directly funds the work of Parkinson's Ireland, Parkinson's UK, and the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
Raise Awareness
Parkinson's is the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world, yet it remains widely misunderstood. This campaign uses the global platform of offshore racing to change that, bringing the reality of Parkinson's to a worldwide audience.
"I can't cure Parkinson's and I can't reverse it. I can sail, and I can use that to get people to pay attention and give others the funding to help cure Parkinson's."
Karl Smith, Skipper
Racing in Aid of
Our Charity Partners
Parkinson's Ireland
Registered Charity No. 6170
Ireland's leading Parkinson's charity, supporting people living with Parkinson's and their families through services, advocacy, and research.
Parkinson's UK
Registered Charity No. 258197
The UK's leading Parkinson's charity, funding research, providing support, and fighting for a better future for everyone affected by Parkinson's.
Michael J. Fox Foundation
Team Fox, For Parkinson's Research
The world's largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson's research, dedicated to accelerating a cure and improved therapies.
Be Part of the Mission
Whether you sponsor the campaign, follow the journey, or donate directly to our charity partners, every contribution moves the mission forward.