Bunches.co.uk

Atlantic Row for Water Aid (2008-2009)

Norman and James Beech, a father and son team, are friends of ours here at Bunches and have entered the Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Challenge 2009, in the hope that they will raise some much needed funds for Water Aid. As a sponsor, we will be following their training and preparation leading up to the race in November 2009 and will be supporting them all the way!

Facts about water shortages in developing countries:

• 1.1 billion people, roughly 1/6th of the world's population, do not have access to safe water.
• 2.6 billion people, approximately 2/5th of the world's population, do not have access to adequate sanitation.
• 1.8 million children die every year as a result of diseases caused by unclean water and poor sanitation. This amounts to 5000 deaths a day (World Health Organisation).
• Water Aid projects providing safe water, sanitation and hygiene education at a cost of just £15 per person.

Water Aid is an international charity which aims to overcome poverty by enabling the world's poorest people to gain access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene education. Full details of their work can be found by logging onto www.wateraid.org.

By taking part in the Atlantic Challenge 2009, Norman and James hope to promote the work of Water Aid. The Atlantic Challenge is a gruelling rowing race of 2,500 nautical miles from La Gomera in the Canaries to Antigua in the West Indies. To date more people have stood on Everest than have rowed the Atlantic! Norman has been interested in endurance events and open sea crossings for some time and has completed the crossing from St Bees in Cumbria to the Isle of Man in a sea kayak, as well as journeys by sea kayak to the Scottish Islands of Rhum, Eigg and Muck. James is an accomplished all round athlete and has accompanied Norman on several sea kayaking journeys. He is an impressively determined and capable individual.

The father and son team aim not only to raise money and the profile of Water Aid, but to break two records. Firstly, the existing and to-date only crossing time for a father and son of 78 days, set in 2004. They plan to reduce this to 65 days or less. Secondly, the youngest male ocean rower was 19 years when he completed the crossing in 2006. James would potentially become the youngest male ocean rower, as they would start and finish before his 19th birthday.

James and Norman hope to attract some huge media attention, just as James Cracknell and Ben Fogle did when they rowed the Atlantic in 2005. Their boat 'Spirit of EDF Energy' finished third and their efforts were broadcast by the BBC.

We wish James and Norman the best of luck and will updated on you on their progress over the coming year..

Norman and James Beech, set to row the Atlantic for Water Aid	The Rowers in Action
The Boat	The Boys and Their Boat
Norman	James

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