"PA"NEWS

Rower back for charity attempt

Friday, 26 December, 2003

Richard Wood, from Northwick, Worcester, plans to set off from La Gomera in the Canary Islands on 20 January.

He is aiming to reach dry land 3,000 miles away in Barbados between 65 and 70 days later.

The father-of-three was thwarted in 2001 when his rowing partner had to pull out after he scalded his hand while cooking, but he still managed to raise £18,000 for Worcester's St Richard's Hospice.

The 47-year-old youth worker plans to head out to La Gomera on 6 January to prepare his boat, named NaJoJo.

"I am looking forward to it," he said.

"I will put my feet up for a few days before going out there, but the problem this time has been finding the time to raise funds for the hospice.

"So far, I have only raised about £1,000 so any donations to the hospice before, during or after the trip would be greatly appreciated."