Wrekin Rowers get set for Atlantic adventure
A team of four rowers from Telford and Wrekin will race 3,000 miles across the Atlantic from the Canary Islands to Antigua later this year as part of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge 2021.
The team, which aims to raise £100,000 for charity through the challenge, is named Wrekin Rowers and comprises Stuart Shepherd, Gary Richards, Martin Skehan and Stuart Richards,who say they are “just four normal people with a limited rowing background that want to achieve something different".
Mr Richards, from Wellington, said: “We are funding the full cost of entering this race ourselves.
"We promise that any donations we receive will be used entirely to help our two chosen charities.”
The Wrekin Rowers have already raised more than £67,000 of their £100,000 target, which will be split equally between Severn Hospice and the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB).
On Saturday, Telford Mayor Amrik Jhawar met the team at Southwater.
Councillor Jhawar said: “I’m really pleased to be here in Southwater helping the Wrekin Rowers drum up support for their challenge and raise money for two such worthy charities.
“It’s not often that someone from our borough rows across the Atlantic! In fact, I understand fewer people have rowed across an ocean than have climbed Mount Everest, so I’m really proud that this local team has decided to undertake such an incredible challenge. I wish them every success.”
People can support the team with their fundraising by visiting Wrekin-Rowers.com
