Fifty years ago, on 20th-21st May 1972, Dave Howlett rowed his home-made boat ‘Tenacity of Wight’ from St Peter Port, Guernsey to Shanklin, Isle of Wight, to raise money for the RNLI.
On Friday 20th May this year, Islander Bob White plans to retrace Dave’s oarstrokes to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his amazing adventure and raise money for Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat and St Peter Port RNLI lifeboat.
95 miles over 37 hours
In 1972 Dave Howlett rowed 95 miles in his homemade dinghy, the journey taking 37 hours whilst travelling through busy shipping lanes, force five winds, heavy rain and rough seas.
Bob will be retracing the oarstrokes from the comfort of a Condor ferry from St Peter Port to Portsmouth. He’ll then take the FastCat to Ryde and an Island Line Train on to Shanklin.
Philatelic covers of the journey
During Dave’s challenge he carried 500 philatelic covers of his journey, which were sold to raise money for the RNLI. Bob intends to do a similar thing.
Bob has prepared 100 philatelic covers which will be hand-stamped by Guernsey Post on 20th May before Bob sets off.
He is selling them for £5 plus £1 P&P each and has around 80 left to sell.
White: Honouring Dave’s tenacity and generosity
Bob says,
“Your giving to the Lifeboats situated at the start and finish of his epic journey will honour Dave’s own tenacity and generosity.
“All expenses are covered separately, and all money donated will be split equally and totally.”
You can read more about this in the Guernsey Press.
Show your support
To purchase a philatelic cover you can make your donations via Bob’s Just Giving Page, Oarsome Adventure and email him your address details ([email protected]). Alternatively you can message him on social media via the link below.
Stay up to date with developments by following The Dave Howlett 50 Celebration Challenge on social media.
