Aidan, Iain and I first came across the AHOY Centre in 2014 when I put together a team to do the Great River Race to support their excellent work with disadvantaged young people and those with disabilities. In that first race I was a sporting numpty and needed the athleticism and experience of Iain and one of his best mates Aidan to complete the gruelling 21 miles of London's rowing marathon.

What a fantastic day we had and five years on we've had so many adventures from the AHOY, making many new friends in the process. But this story is not about our rowing, it is about the AHOY.

Since 2003, the AHOY has helped thousands of disadvantaged youth and disabled adults achieve recognised qualifications whilst teaching valuable transferable skills through the medium of sailing, rowing and water-based activities on the River Thames. Despite the global pandemic and lock down The AHOY has continued to deliver care, activities and meals to those in the community which need them - a phenomenal achievement, especially given their fund raising has been heavily curtailed due to COVID. Almost all their fund raising activities have been cancelled this year.

This year, Aidan tragically died unexpectedly, joining Iain who died last year of brain cancer. Up until a few months before he died, Iain still rowed from the Ahoy, this meant so much to him. When he could not row any more, he would simply join us rowers in the Dog and Bell for a post rowing beer. I can honestly look back over the last 5 years at all the amazing fun and rowing adventures with such gratitude to the AHOY for enabling such happy memories for these two men I loved so much. I feel compelled to give more than a little back to this amazing place. If you can support my challenge by donating whatever you can afford in memory of Aidan and Iain, it will spur me on and help the AHOY when they need us the most.