A whopping £3,409 raised last year has been added to the Mermaid Atlantic rowing campaign, raising funds to protect our oceans.
After a year of training, three Islanders, Xavier Baker, Paul Berry and Chris Mannion, are now 29 days into a challenge to row across the Atlantic Ocean.
They set themselves a target of raising £7,500 to be split among three important charities, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Surfers Against Sewage and The Seahorse Trust and have now busted through that target, having now raised £7,609 (+£580 gift aid).
Show your support
The team have jumped forward from position 23 to position 16 in the leaderboard, and are estimated to arrive at their destination on 30th January 2024, having rowed continuously for 48 days.
It would be incredible for their target to be doubled or tripled by the time they reach Antigua. You can donate by heading over to the GiveWheel website.
Celebrated the half-way mark
Over the weekend the lads reached the half-way mark, celebrating with a Mermaid Gin and Tonic Ready-To-Drink can in front of a glowing sunset.
They say it now feels less like they are rowing from the Canary Islands, and more like they are rowing towards Antigua.
Despite a lack of sleep, the chaps are in good spirits and they’re in a good routine. They hope to have rowed under the 1000NM to go mark by this coming weekend, which psychologically will be a major achievement.
Difficult weather conditions
According to the team the next couple of days look difficult weather-wise with strong northerly winds forecast and a swell of four metres, which will mean the boat will be really uncomfortable.
Let’s hope it doesn’t get too hairy, although the lads seem to have coped very well with everything that has been thrown at them so far. Absolute heroes!
Article edit
4.35pm 10th Jan 2024 – Anonymous donor updated to IW Distillery (they add to the Give Wheel as anonymous hence the confusion)
