Boat number 21, 21 years ago, 21st June ( the longest day) all seemed to line up too well.

21 years ago I rowed the Atlantic with Peter Hogden in the boat we built called Hospiscare, named after our local Hospice. That was part of the world's first ever ocean rowing race. It took 58 days to cover the 3000 miles.

I "retired" from rowing for a few years ( 10 ) but recently decided to have another go, I soon remembered the reasons I stopped. Backache mainly, due to trying to go fast...  so re-thinking I opted to go for slow rowing ..  MUCH less load on my back but far more boring..  apparently it is good for weight loss too!!

With a target in mind, to help focus the training, and finding out that my rowing technique is still there, I started looking for a test.....  the world record for a 24 hour "ultra endurance" event soon became the obvious choice.

The current world record is 278,229 meters ( set in 2014 ) for the 50-59 age group. I am not underestimating the challenge but believe I can go further.

UPDATE :: On 21st June to the 22nd June I set a new World Record.of 279,242 metres ( about 175 miles ) I now have the certificate so I think I will be framing that one.

I set an ambitious target for fundraising but this was by far the toughest thing I have attempted to date.. 

It was nice to come away with a world record but even better to raise a lot of money for Cancer Research UK and Hospiscare and all the great work they do. I was asking for sponsorship for the "attempt" , in case I didn't break the record now that I have achieved it maybe you could sponsor me for the blood sweat and tears that went into it.. A week later and sitting down is still not easy!

My colleagues at Vodafone are all helping me to raise sponsorship and we will be looking to the Vodafone Foundation matched funding scheme to boost your donations, so that will be a great boost.

Thanks for participating and supporting Cancer Research UK.