Limited edition fine art prints from an original oil painting by Norman Wilkinson will be boosting the coffers of a sailing charity.

The painting, of ‘big and frightening’ seas, was commissioned by Colonel Bill Whitbread to celebrate Sir Francis Chichester’s pioneering one-stop circumnavigation.

It was presented to the yachtsman after his return in 1967.

Sir Francis’s son Giles Chichester says the relationship between the patron and sailor ‘went back a long way.’

He said: ‘They were both members of the Royal Yacht Squadron. Bill first had Whitbread sponsor my Father when he made a record breaking solo crossing of the Atlantic in 1962.

‘Whitbread continued as a major supporter of the circumnavigation in Gipsy Moth IV in 1966-67 and Bill presented the painting to my father.

‘It remained a favourite of his because he said, the seas were so very realistic – big and frightening.’

The 250 limited edition prints measure 76cm x 51cm and are signed and numbered by Giles Chichester.

All profits go to the Gipsy Moth IV Trust, which is charged with keeping this famous yacht sailing. She competed in last week’s Round the Island Race with a crew of disadvantaged children.

The prints cost £99 each including VAT, postage and packing to the UK, and can be found online here.