Rowers from three Southampton rowing clubs and two members of the GB adaptive rowing squad are heading for the open seas this week to row around the Isle of Wight all in the name of charity.
The team, who have the backing of Olympic rower Sir Steve Redgrave embark on the grueling challenge on Thursday, 21 July from Southampton Institute's Warsash Maritime Centre at 7.30am and aim to complete the row in 12 hours, finishing around 5pm back at Warsash Maritime Centre.
The row is in aid of the Steve Redgrave Trust along with the Lisa Wilson scholarship fund, the Haemachromatosis society, and the Great Britain adaptive rowing squad - highlighting the fact that rowing is now a Paralympic sport.
Heading up the team is 29 year-old Gus Mckechnie, from Dorchester, who set up the challenge after he lost his brother Andrew to Haemachromatosis, and then his father, Ian, from the resulting stress of that tragic loss. Gus is Student Volunteer Co-ordinator at Southampton Institute and a member of the Institute's rowing club. He is joined by fellow Institute rowers and members of Coalporters Rowing Club, Southampton University Boat Club and Great Britain Adaptive Rowing squad members Naomi Riches and Katie George Dunlevy, who is also a student at Southampton Institute.
Gus comments: "I am determined that the effort made by my parents should not be in vain, and the charity attempts have been set up to prove that any one can determine their own fate."
The challenge as also received the backing of Sir Steve Redgrave, who set up his charitable Trust in 2001 to help improve opportunities for children and young people across the UK. He said: "The challenges which the team have set themselves are very testing and I wish them the very best of luck. They are putting in a huge amount of effort but for some very worthy causes."
Gus will also be taking on more challenges for the charities, including the Boston marathon, which is a 50km row in Lincolnshire, rather than the US running version, and a cycle ride from Coalporters Rowing Club in Southampton to Weymouth Rowing Club stopping by Southampton Football Club and Dorchester Football club.
You can support Gus in his efforts to raise money and awareness by visiting www.justgiving.com/sotonrowchallenge and pledging your support.
Notes to editors:Photographers and reporters are welcome to the start or finish of the challenge at Warash Maritime Centre. Please contact the press office to arrange this.
Gus can be contacted on 07921 906 007 to obtain an update on the challenge as the day progresses.
The Isle of Wight crew will consist of:
Media enquiries to the Press Officer, +44 023 8031 9040