Trans-Atlantic Challenge to Fight Cancer
By Effective Communication
TWO adventurous Cardiff men are preparing to embark on an epic journey across the Atlantic Ocean – to help the fight against cancer in Wales.
Best friends Nick Jackson, 32, a trainee journalist, and Richard Dobbin, 31, an engineer, are set to row an astounding 3,000 miles across the Atlantic in an open boat this December, to raise money for their nominated charity, Cancer Research Wales.
The intrepid pair, who are both rowing novices, will be taking part in the Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race, widely recognised as one of the toughest rowing races in the world. Nick and Richard will set off from Spanish island of La Gomera and row the 3,000 miles to Antigua in the Caribbean, racing against 30 other teams. Nick and Richard will be the only Welsh team in the challenge.
The treacherous crossing is expected to take 50 – 90 days, but the ambitious pair hope to complete the challenge in 60 days, and will take enough food to last 80 days.
To date, only 300 people have successfully rowed the Atlantic, whereas more than ten times that amount have climbed Mount Everest.
The pair will face waves of up to 40 feet during the grueling challenge, and experience severe weather ranging from extreme heat to huge thunder storms. The possibility of their boat capsizing in the ocean will be ever-present, and they will even have to be aware of threats from sharks and other marine life as they row.
Nick and Richard also hope to keep in touch with friends, family and supporters with video posts on the internet from their boat, updating those back in Wales on their progress across the ocean.
In the months before they set off for their once-in-a lifetime trip, Nick and Richard will not only be embarking on a rigorous training programme, they will also be busy working towards their target of raising £100,000 for Cancer Research Wales.
Nick said: “Rowing the Atlantic is something I’ve wanted to do since I was 15, when I read the true account of the first men to succeed in the challenge in 1966. I have had some experience in sailing, but rowing will be a completely new physical challenge to us both. We’ll be training hard for the next few months, trying to get as many hours in the boat as possible, and on rowing machines, but nothing can really prepare us for the extremities of the elements!”
“We’re being supported by Esporta, who have kindly given us free gym membership and personal training sessions, as well as the Cardiff Harbour Authority, which is helping us enormously with our training.”
Richard added: “In many ways, our biggest challenge is raising the money we’ve pledged for Cancer Research Wales. We’re looking for as many sponsors as possible, as well as friends, family and members of the public to donate to the cause.”
Cancer Research Wales is the indigenous Welsh cancer charity. Formed in 1966, it has its headquarters in the grounds of Velindre Hospital in Cardiff and funds pioneering, vital research projects into cancer across Wales.
Nick said: “It’s a sad fact that almost everyone will be affected by cancer at some point in their life. My mum has successfully fought cancer a couple of times, and it makes you realise the importance of research into improving treatments for the disease. Richard and I want to raise as much money as possible for Cancer Research Wales, and we hope the Welsh public will be behind us as we prepare for the biggest challenge of our lives.”
Liz Andrews, deputy director for fundraising at Cancer Research Wales said; “We’re delighted that Nick and Richard are taking on such an incredible challenge to help Cancer Research Wales. The money raised will stay in Wales and will help fund groundbreaking research into cancer and its treatments. We wish them the best of luck with their training and fundraising over the coming months.”
Tags: Atlantic Ocean, Cancer Research Wales, Nick Jackson, Richard Dobbin, row
