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When reading this account, it should be borne in mind that this is an
account written as a diary of facts, thoughts and personal feelings. The
thoughts and feelings are of a personal nature written from the author
to his wife and family in the event that a catastrophe might occur and
he never see them again.
It should also be understood that the two rowers although work
colleagues from the outset, did not know each other in outside life
other than that they had undertaken three previous expeditions as part
of a large rowing team raising money for various charities.
n 1990 they had rowed a Montague Whaler from the Houses of Parliament in
London to the Eiffel Tower in Paris. A Montague Whaler is a clinker
built rowing boat which is 27' long, weighing in at 27 cwt, and capable
of supporting 27 persons in and emergency. The Royal Navy had advised
that the trip would take ten days to complete if the boat was crewed by
fit people rowing 24 hours a day, and that they would need to take at
least 27 spare oars as they (The Royal Navy) break them at an alarming
rate. In the event, the teams from the Metropolitan Police Force who
took part finished in an astonishing five and a half days exactly!
Moreover, they did not break any oars at all. |
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In 1991 having formed the idea of attempting to row around the coast of
Great Britain in 1992, by way of a training row the Metropolitan Police
Heavy Boat club visited the police in Sweden and rowed their whaler from
the south eastern most point of Sweden to Stockholm, some 850 miles
North through the Baltic Sea. During this row however, the boat did stop
each night for civic receptions and met various dignitaries. These trips
to Sweden have lead to some life long friendships being established.
In 1992, the Metropolitan Police Heavy Boat Club attempted to row
non-stop around the coast of Britain. This attempt was defeated during
the first two days when bad weather hit the English Channel and they
were fog bound in Portsmouth. However, they did continue and finished
the mammoth task of rowing around the coast in six weeks. That is
another story and well worth telling.
As 1991 progressed though, Charlies godson Sam Deacon had contracted
leukaemia and Charlie had to drop out at the last moment. Sam Deacon
died of leukaemia and Charlie started the Children With Leukaemia Trust
with Sam's mother and father.
In 1992 after the round Britain row, Roger vowed that having trained
hard for the previous four years, he would row no more . . . however,
in 1994 he read about Chay Blythe's proposed first ever Atlantic Rowing
Race to race in purpose built boats from Tenerife to Barbados. The
thought did not immediately encourage him to take up the challenge
though. Roger's wife Christina, had also read the article and the matter
was discussed briefly and forgotten about.
In late 1994 however things took a bizarre turn. Charlie and Roger were
sitting in the canteen at Heathrow police station when another member of
Charlie's team came in. He had a copy of a yachting magazine which was
also advertising the by now event organized by Chay Blythe. Stefan, who
had produced the magazine is a keen yachtsman of some considerable
experience. He said. "You two should do this. You're both bloody mad,
and you've rowed in these sort of things before". Charlie and Roger
simply looked at each other and said together. "Oh, no!" The seed was
sewn.
By the next evening plans were being made after consultation with the
wives and families. The obvious charity selected was the Children With
Leukaemia Trust.
The rest is now history.
I would like to dedicate this book to several people. Firstly to my wife
Christina. My daughters Amy and Nicola and my two sons Ben and Sam.
Without their support it would have meant nothing to me and as you will
read, there are many times when I would have given up but for them. In
1996, my children accompanied a group of people from St. Augustine's
Church Whitton, on a sponsored walk of 100 miles from London to
Canterbury along the North Downs Way. Together we raised an enormous
amount of money for the charity. The children walked every step of the
way carrying ruc-sacs with their kit in them. My children's ages were
eight year old twin boy and girl. Eldest son at ten, and eldest daughter
just eleven. Great achievement for all concerned !!
Some other people who got in right from the start and believed in us are
Mark Carr. He worked for Buffalo Systems who supplied us with our outer
garments for which we are eternally grateful. Mark moved on to BCB
International in Cardiff. They supply outdoor equipment of all kinds.
Mark introduced us to Paul Hindmarsh, an expert in Maritime navigation
and equipment. He also worked for BCB International. Between them they
put together a heap of kit for us which meant we would have an easier
passage during the race. Mark advised about food products and Paul about
the best routes to take.
Mark Edwards from the Richmond Boat House under Richmond bridge and his
builder Bill Colley also worked their tails off putting the boat kit
together during the winter of 1996 and the spring / summer of 1997.
Their advice and encouragement is priceless as is their knowledge.
The 'Green People' company also got in at an early stage and supplied
nutritional drinks. Charlotte and Sven Eric were 100% behind us all the
way.
Ken Wright from Fairholme Judo Club gave his time and finances to kit us
out with electrics. Good job, well done. Thanks Ken!
Numerous schools in our area also helped in raising money for the
charity. It has been really great to see so much enthusiasm generated by
so many people from different walks of life. Various other people also
came in right up until the last moment to make our journey a little
easier.
From the bottom of my heart, I would like to offer my gratitude to you
all. For all of those many I have not mentioned personally, it is not
because you are forgotten, simply that it too, would take a book to
complete!
Roger Gould. |
