<p>Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page</p> <p>I am taking part in the&nbsp;Celtic Challenge which is described as&nbsp;the World's Longest true rowing race where teams race from Arklow in County Wicklow, Ireland to Aberystwyth on the Welsh coast, a distance of about&nbsp;100 miles. Celtic and Pembrokeshire longboats take part (and occasionally other similar boats also join in) &ndash; each boat is about 24 feet (8m) long and has 4 fixed seats and one cox.</p> <p>Each team&nbsp;taking part in&nbsp;the Celtic Challenge consists of 12 people who take it in turns to row and cox - we are a team (Shropshire Novices) who had&nbsp;never rowed before January this year.</p> <p>The race is described as an extreme test of endurance and generally takes between 15 and 24 hours, depending on the weather - we may take longer. The race usually starts in the afternoon with all the teams rowing throughout the night and sometimes arriving in Aberystwyth very early in the morning.</p> <p>The race this year&nbsp;takes place sometime this weekend -&nbsp;the 4th and 7th of May 2012, with the exact race&nbsp;start&nbsp;window depending on weather.</p> <p>Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving &ndash; they&rsquo;ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they&rsquo;ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer.</p> <p>Thank you very much for any support you can give to the Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation.</p> <p>All the best</p> <p>Geoff</p>