Rower braves wet weather in 12-hour charity effort - on land (From This is Hampshire)
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Rower braves wet weather in 12-hour charity effort - on land
2:00pm Wednesday 26th December 2012 in News
Will North (front) rows in The Square, supported by dad Simon and sister Emma
WILL North rowed 120 kilometres on Saturday, without leaving the shelter of the gazebo in the rain-lashed Square, Winchester.
The former Westgate and Peter Symonds’ student was preparing for one of the most gruelling races in the world, rowing across the Atlantic.
His static 12-hour row was designed to raise awareness of the 3,000-mile challenge from the Canaries to Antigua next December.
Will, 27, needs to raise £80,000 to finance his participation along with friend Dan Howie but aims to raise £200,000 for three charities: Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, Cancer Research UK and St Anna’s, a children’s charity in Ghana.
Two of those are close to his heart as his father Simon, a partner in Winchester estate agents Strutt and Parker is in remission from cancer of the lymphoma.
Mr North, 62, from Shawford, said: “I feel a great deal of pride. Obviously there’s a worry but it is a marvellous adventure. He has my full support.”
Will, a London-based headhunter, is also hoping for corporate support but anyone giving £250 will have their name on the 23-foot £28,000 boat.
The physical training is no easy task as Will must put on two stone in muscle as he will burn 8,000 calories a day in the race expected to last 40-50 days.
“It has taken over my life but it has opened a whole new world, new people and new opportunities. So far it has been a fantastic journey,” he said.
His sister Emma said of her brother’s plans: “I think he’s mad. No, we are very proud of him.”
Visit AtlanticRow2013.com for more details.
