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Last year my brother in law James Cash announced that he would be rowing the Atlantic in December 2011 (Facing The Atlantic), with his friend Bertie Portal. To begin with my family and I were worried about the enormity of the challenge and the dangers they would face until we heard their story and the charity they were doing it for.

Please watch the video below

Facing The World

Facing The World is a wonderful charity started by Bertie’s friend Martin Kelly in 2002. Offering pioneering surgery to young children with terrible facial deformities, this is a fledgling charity that deserves our help. The surgeons operate in their own time and free of charge and in doing so transform family’s lives. Even today some of these children risk death by stoning by the rest of their village. Facing The World is literally saving lives. Martin died in May 2008, but Bertie made a promise to him that he would do something for ‘Facing The World’, not only for the children but for the truly heroic team of surgeons and staff. It is wonderful and humbling to know that even in these troubling times there are still heroes in the world and James and Bertie are proud to be helping this exceptional charity.

Please take a moment to take a look at their web pages.

www.facingtheatlantic.com

This is when I had a thought….

I decided that I didn’t want to sponsor them but wanted to show that I fully supported the cause by doing my own rowing challenge to help raise funds towards their target.

In January 2011 I started rowing on Dubai Creek with Monty’s Rowing School and I quickly became addicted. I discussed my idea with Monty and we decided to do it together. We will row 60km continuously on 25 November 2011 as part of Dubai Festival City's (DFC) 'Whatever Floats Your Boat' day. The challenge will take place between the Floating Bridge and Ras Al Khor Wildlife Area boom and should take 7-8 hours.

Please support Monty and I as we assist James and Bertie in helping ‘Facing the World’.