A new display at Falmouth’s National Maritime Museum is celebrating the achievements of disabled sailors with a display of specially designed boats and famous objects.

The display includes the first Challenger Trimaran, which was the first purpose-built craft for disabled people and objects loaned by Geoff Holt MBE, who became the first quadriplegic sailor to circumnavigate the British Isles in 2007 in a Challenger.

Challenger was the brainchild of Diana “Tid” Campbell, who from the age of seven was confined to a wheelchair. Despite this disability she developed a passion for sailing and, from 1979, was instrumental in development of the Challenger class.

Alongside the Challenger Trimaran are objects which Geoff Holt took with him when he circumnavigated the British Isles. Geoff was named BBC South’s Sports Personality of the Year in 2007 and is one of the UK’s leading ambassadors for disabled sailing.

On display are his Cornish made Gecko helmet, which was modified with a special intercom, a Henri-Lloyd breathable smock, which kept him warm throughout his journey and his good luck charm, small pieces of cladding from HMS Victory.

Geoff Holt said: “A friend of mine works on repairing and restoring Nelson’s flagship and he gave me these few scraps of wood several years ago. With Nelson being our country’s most celebrated disabled sailor, I thought it was fitting for me to take these items with me around Great Britain.”