A pair of Yorkshire lawyers, who are taking on the infamous ‘World’s Toughest Row’ across the Atlantic later this year, have completed a 24-hour stationary training row cheered on by sponsors and the Yorkshire charities which will benefit from their fundraising efforts.
David Knaggs and Richard Larking will embark on the 3,000-mile transatlantic crossing in December, and, so far, have succeeded in raising over £150,000 for two beloved Yorkshire charities – Maggie’s Home of Cancer Care and Friends of Alfie Martin.
The duo put months of rigorous training to the test using a rowing simulator on the terrace of Alwoodley Golf Club, whilst taking it in turns to nap on board the team’s seven-metre state-of-the-art rowing boat, Brizo, displayed adjacent to the 18th green of the golf course.
The event was followed by a celebration with fellow golfers, sponsors and the team’s chosen charities – Maggie’s, which supports people with cancer, their families and friends, and Friends of Alfie Martin, which raises funds for neonatal equipment at the Leeds teaching hospitals.
“Richard and I were golfing together at Alwoodley three years ago when we came up with our plan to take on the Atlantic, so it is incredibly motivating to have been once again supported by the club and joined by many friends, businesses and well-wishers who are watching our progress,” said David.
Richard added: “Training has been going well, and it was encouraging to mark our progress with this event as we countdown to the start of the race from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua in just three months’ time.”
At ages 59 and 60, they will be one of the oldest teams competing in the notoriously challenging event, and are likely to face 40 ft waves, hazardous shipping traffic, sleep deprivation and potential marlin strikes.
Racing under the team name Greens2Blue, the friends have already surpassed their original ambitious fundraising target with both charities having received over £75,000. Sights are now set on raising a further £50,000 before and during the race.
In addition to their headline sponsor, financial advisory and real estate firm Begbies Traynor Group, the duo recently gained additional support from Leeds-based corporate finance boutique Sentio Partners, which has become the oar sponsor for the challenge.
David and Richard have also secured sponsorship from numerous other regional and local businesses including Ginetta; Happy Drains; Optivet Referrals; Cellular Pathology Services; Macintosh James & Partners Wealth Management; El Gato Negro Tapas; Middleton Law; Richard Fahey Racing; Springfield Healthcare, Waterer’s Services Limited; Walker Morris and SBFM Ltd.
Further opportunities to support the pair in their fundraising can be found at www.greens2blue.co.uk
