Atlantic Inspire 2015

Aim

Teacher Rob Gill will be rowing solo across the Atlantic this December to raise as much money for Cancer Research UK

Project Aim:

Teacher Rob Gill will be rowing solo across the Atlantic this December to raise as much money for Cancer Research UK

About My Project:

5 years ago this Summer my father passed away after a long and often painful battle with skin cancer.

It was at this point that I spontaneously decided to make my own statement by literally "getting on my mountain bike" and cycled for Cancer Research UK from my school in Bedford to Paris - A bit of a Forest Gump moment.

In the intervening 5 years I have been blessed to take part in some fantastic ultra extreme challenges involving running, and cycling. This has enabled me to collectively raise many thousands of pounds for my chosen charity Cancer Research UK.

At 50, my time has come to brave the challenges of the mighty Atlantic Ocean and conquer the worlds toughest ocean row as part of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge starting on December 15th. This has been 18 months in the planning, with everything now coming together in next 6 months. So, this is where I need your help in getting all you backers to "jump on board" and be a part of this fantastic experience. 

At this point you might want to find out a bit more about this fantastic challenge, so please visit my website at www.atlanticinspire.com

You see, call me ultra positive, single minded, or just outright stubborn, but I will be doing the the Atlantic Row as A SOLO COMPETITOR. 

To keep my costs down I have purchased a used ocean rowing boat which has the service history of already successfully completing the crossing twice before - so no doubt it will also be third time lucky. Indeed, the boat, now called "Wild Young Dirky" is being serviced and going on final sea trials as we speak.

However, as I have emptied my own personal savings - I need your help to make our boat as safe as possible in supporting me as the solo rower. I know that these items are not the most "sexiest" and "romantic" of the whole challenge, but as a solo rower they will no doubt make the ultimate difference. I really do need this financial leg up

So, here is my wish list, and their aproximate costs: 

1. Electric watermaker - £3500

2. GPS enabled satellite phone - £800

3. GPS system - £1000

4. Back up Handheld GPS System - £500

5. VHF Radio Kit - £2000

6. Power Source - Including Solar Panels - £2500

TOTAL APPROX. COST = £10300

I don't know how much you know about the items on my "wish list" but they are really essential as a solo rower to give me the peace in knowing that I can 100% back myself in getting across the challenges of the Atlantic.

WHY AM I DOING THIS - "TOGETHER WE WILL BEAT CANCER"

We ALL have a courageous spirit, and it is this collective spirit which helps focus the ambitions of Cancer Research UK in standing up and winning the fight against cancer.

The research they are pioneering is based on three shared  yet powerful beliefs which are simply:

• United we are stronger than cancer

• Sharp minds and brave hearts win

• Our stories can together change the world

 "So, at the heart of it all there are cancer patients who need cures sooner rather than later" - Professor Nic Jones, Chief Scientist, Cancer Research UK.

This is what drives me to undertake this massive challenge in rowing SOLO across the Atlantic, and with your support I know I will get my boat to the start line in the Canary Islands

Here are the basic facts - In the 1970's 1 in 4 of us survived cancer. Thanks to the advances in the pioneering work undertaken by Cancer Research UK this survival rate is 2 out of 4 people. It does not stop there - as their ambition is to accelerate progress and see 3 out 4 people survive cancer in the next 20 years.

Because of you, for you, and thanks to you I will be given the confidence to set myself the ambitious taqarget of raising £100,000 for Cancer Research UK. Indeed, as a lasting legacy of our ultimate success, the boat and all its contents will be sold and directly make its way back in the charity pot.

This project closed unsuccessfully on 10th June 2015