The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
‘Rowing for Rascals’ duo to challenge Atlantic Ocean
Pair aim to raise cash for ARCHIE and Great Ormond Street
Two Aberdeen men are embarking on the challenge of a lifetime which will push their strength, endurance and friendship to the limit.
Close friends Andy Strachan and Duncan Adamson, both of Torry, will row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic in a race widely thought of as one of the toughest in the world.
They will set off from La Gomera in the Canary Islands in December next year, and pit themselves against around 14 other teams as they travel along the equator to Antigua.
The pair need to raise £100,000 in order to take part in the Tal i s ker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, and are hoping to bring in an additional £150,000 which will be equally split between two children’s charities close to their hearts.
Both men, who are personal trainers, want to give something back to facilities that helped them as children – Great Ormond Street Hospital in London and the Royal AberdeenChildren’sHospital.
They have currently raised £10,000 towards the challenge, which they have nicknamed “Rowing for Rascals”, and are urging the public to get behind their fundraising efforts.
Mr Strachan, 33, said: “I had a lot of problems with my respiratory system when I was younger, and spent time in the children’s hospital.
“I have seen what the ARCHIE Foundation does making things more comfortable for children and their families and I want to help support that.”
The pair are currently looking for a boat for the challenge, which will cost around £30,000.
While a support vessel will be at least three hours away during the event, the duo will be more or less on their own to row and race.
They also have to carry at least 90 days of food with them during the event, along with safety equipment.
Mr Adamson, 25, said: “We are both competitive, and we want to do as well aswecan. We are aiming to finish it in sub- 40 days which would be verging on a course record. We are both rowers with a good few years of experience so are taking it very seriously.”
David Cunningham, chief executive of the ARCHIE Foundation, said: “The guys will need plenty of support to get there, but it willbeworth itwhenthey succeed.
“We are absolutely delighted that they will be rowing for The ARCHIE Foundation and Great Ormond Street, both charities which are here to make a difference for sick children.”
Themen will be involved in a number of events to raise money for their Atlantic adventure, including personal training sessions.
They will be held at the grass area next to the city’s Lynx Ice Arena every Saturday from 11.30am and costs £5 for an hour.