Two Boys to Attempt World Rowing Record
News release
13th September 2013
Two friends are aiming to become the youngest pair ever to row across the Atlantic Ocean later this year.
Luke Birch, of Doddington Hall near Lincoln, and Jamie Sparks will both be 21 years old when they begin the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge – the world’s toughest rowing race – in December.
Leading chartered accountants and business advisers Duncan and Toplis will be sponsoring the boys as they try to raise £100,000 for Breast Cancer Care.
The challenge will begin on 2nd December in the Canary Islands and will finish seven weeks later in Antigua. Their boat will be just big enough to fit Luke and Jamie, their food and a small cabin for them to take shelter and rest in when needed.
Competitors will row non-stop in two-hour shifts for around 50 days, crossing 3,000 nautical miles and burning 10,000 calories a day each. More people are said to have been into space than have rowed across the Atlantic, a feat first achieved by Chay Blyth in 1966.
Twenty teams are currently entered into the race but it is unlikely that they will all make it to the start. Twelve of the teams are British.
“We’ve been rowing and training together and we’re both experienced sailors; we’re 100% confident we’ll finish the race,” said Luke, whose parents own Doddington Hall.
“It’s definitely going to be tough,” said Jamie. “After 24 hours we won’t see another boat but we’ve got GPS navigation systems and we’ll be in daily radio contact with the mainland.
“We’ll be crossing three shipping lanes and one of our major fears is being hit by a big tanker, but we’re prepared for anything.”
Luke and Jamie launched 2 Boys in a Boat yesterday (Thursday) at Doddington Hall, and they’re still seeking sponsors to help to pay for the equipment and contribute towards the large sum they’re hoping to raise.
Andy Severn, Partner at Duncan & Toplis, said the firm is delighted to sponsor Luke and Jamie.
“It’s a great adventure and it’s great to be able to support the boys in their rowing feat across the Atlantic,” he said.
“Duncan & Toplis has a long association with Doddington Hall and so we had no hesitation in offering our backing.
“We’re delighted to see our logo on the side of the boat and we just hope it will stay the right way up!”
You can make a donation or find out more via the following channels:
Twitter - @2boysinaboat
Facebook – 2boysinaboat
Website - http://2boysinaboat.com/
YouTube - 2boysinaboat
Ends
Notes to editors
Duncan and Toplis
- Duncan & Toplis was established in 1925 and has since grown into one of the largest independent firms of chartered accountants in the Midlands.
- Duncan & Toplis appears in the top 30 UK accountancy practices list published by Accountancy magazine.
- The company has 10 offices throughout the East Midlands: in Grantham, Boston, Lincoln, Louth, Melton Mowbray, Newark, Skegness, Sleaford, Spalding and Stamford.
- Duncan & Toplis offers a wide range of services to small to large-sized family businesses, from accountancy, audit and tax to payroll, human resources and computer services.
- The business employs around 300 staff, of whom 85 are currently engaged in professional training.
Two Boys In A Boat
- Luke Birch and Jamie Sparks have been friends since they were five years old.
- Luke Birch is the son of Claire and James Birch who own Doddington Hall in Lincolnshire.
- Luke is currently studying at Edinburgh University while Jamie, who is from Islington, is studying at Bristol University.
Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge
- The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge crosses the Atlantic Ocean from the Canary Islands to the West Indies.
- It has a distance of approximately 2,930 miles.
- The record time for completing the race is 33 days and 7 hours.
- Founded by Sir Chay Blyth, the race first took place in 1997.
- The race takes place every two years.
- Before 2012 it was known as the Atlantic Rowing Race
Jez Ashberry
Shooting Star PR
01522 528540
jez@shootingstar-pr.co.uk
www.shootingstar-pr.co.uk
t: @jezashberry
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