A group of business men from Bolton are set to row across the Atlantic Ocean to raise money for The Bolton Lads And Girls Club.
If you ever thought it would be a good idea to raise money for charity, you soon find out the reality is a challenge in itself! But three Bolton businessmen, including thebestof bolton member Matt Tomkin from Comm-Consult, have made their personal challenge almost unthinkable by committing to row across the Atlantic in their bid to raise £250,000 for charity.
The idea is the ‘brain child’ of 50 year old Mark Brocklehurst from the Sharples Group, who wanted a real challenge after completing a Land’s End to John O’Groats sponsored cycle ride, raising £35,000 for the Bolton Lads and Girls Club.
The groups ages range from Matt at 27, Nick Griffiths 40, to Mark at 50 and will be joined by Vincent Kelly from Doric Investments and an as yet unnamed member from DRL, Appliances Online, all Bolton based companies.
Fewer people have rowed the Atlantic than have been into space and the Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Challenge is known as the toughest race on earth. Matt Tomkin said “I think the challenge of rowing 3000 miles in a 29 foot boat with waves the size of a house will be one of the best achievements I will ever accomplish”.
Having been a seafarer myself for 10 years of my early life, I know just what Atlantic storms can look like and to be undertaking this challenge in a 29 foot boat will be a real test of physical strength, mental toughness and nerve. I take my hat off to all of them.
The team are looking to attract sponsors and donations for their effort to be undertaken in December 2013 and anyone interested in getting involved should contact Zoe Graham at The Bolton Lads and Girls Club on 01204 540130 or by e-mail at zoe.graham@blgc.co.uk
