The Celtic challenge is the World's longest true rowing race from Arklow in County Wichlow to Aberystwyth a distance of c 120 miles. Celtic long boats take part racing over 24 hours. The boats are 24 feet long with a team of 12 rowing on fixed sates, 4 rowers and 1 cox. at a time.

I have decided to join a friend of mine Yaser Martini, in training on the Thames in the pic, to row in memory of his daughter and for my Mum raising money for "DKMS" in their fights against Blood Cancer.

I was so moved by the plight that Yaser found himself in when Margot, his daughter, was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of Leukaemia particularly as she was only 14 months old when first diagnosed.

After an international search, with 50,000 people offering to donate bone marrow they found a donor but unfortunately her body rejected the marrow and Margot tragically passed away in October 2014.

My Mother contracted Blood cancer at the same time as Margot. 

Mum was one of the lucky ones and whilst her spine crumbled with the secondary tumour leaving her disabled she has, against all odds, survived after some amazing care and cancer treatment.

She has been in remission for over two years and is living a very full a life

So I will be rowing in memory and in celebration of life

Thank you very much for reading this and for your donation.

Neil