Mourne men set for rowing challenge
RNLI crews are prepared to go to sea at a moment’s notice, in all weathers and conditions, for the good of others.
However, five Mourne lifeboat men are gearing themselves up for their biggest sea challenge to date – the Shore to Shore Row – a gruelling, almost 30–mile long row across one of the UK’s busiest shipping channels.
James McKnight, Damien King, Brendan Duff, Alan Henning and William Charleton are preparing to give something back to the community, when they take part in the arduous row from Ardglass to the Isle of Man. The team, who are members of Newcastle and Kilkeel lifeboat crews, plan to raise money for the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children’s Shimna Valley respite centre near Newcastle and the Carryduff–based TinyLife organisation.
William Charleton (at the back), a parishioner of Christ Church, Kilkeel, is no stranger to adventure or to fundraising as he has been on Hopebuilders teams constructing schools in rural Uganda. Those trips are characterised by heat and dust, whereas the upcoming challenges could be high seas and strong winds.
“The row will be tough,” he said, “but all the blisters, hard work and pain will be worth it in the long run.”
As if preparatory gym and training sessions aren’t enough, the men have also decided to build their own 20–foot boat. With the fibreglass coating about to go on the hull, they’re confident they will be able to embark on their fundraiser this August or September. Once the boat is ready to hit the water, the rowers and their support team will complete a number of sea trials.
Aware that the crossing will be demanding, tiring and dangerous, the men are confident that no matter what Mother Nature and the Irish Sea throws at them, they will arrive safe and sound in Peel Harbour.
If you’d like to make a donation or support the crew in any way, check out Facebook or telephone 07717 860733.