A DYNAMIC duo from Worcester have moved a step closer in their quest to row the Atlantic Ocean and raise a whopping £250,000 for Acorns Children’s Hospice in memory of a much-loved neighbour.
George Farmiloe and Matt Bladen, aka The Worcester Buoys, have stepped up preparations for December’s Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge with the unveiling of their boat.
The 26-year-olds, who met at school in Worcester, are limbering up for the gruelling 3,000-mile challenge which they hope will take them from La Gomera in the Canaries to Antigua.
George and Matt will be rowing in shifts of two hours on and two hours off for around 40 days, battling the elements and the unpredictability of the ocean in a bid to complete the challenge and raise a quarter of a million pounds for the vital lifeline.
Acorns is a cause close to both of their hearts as Matt saw first-hand the impact the charity can have on children with life threatening illnesses.
His next-door neighbour Jack Dyer, sadly passed away in November 2020 aged just 16.
Throughout his life, Acorns Children’s Hospice provided a crucial mixture of palliative care and a huge support for his Jack and his family
And having revealed the design of their boat, the Buoys are now in the final phase of their rigorous sea-based training.
They will spend the next couple of months doing maintenance work on her and completing their crucial training sessions on the water and preparing the boat for the trip.
“It’s crucial we know the ins and outs of the boat, from how the desalinator works, to our navigation equipment which is pretty important for getting us to the right place,” Matt said.
“We will be testing this out over the coming months to make sure we are properly prepared for being out on the ocean alone.”
The challenge is organised by Atlantic Campaigns and brings together teams from all walks of life.
Each year, 30 teams from across the world meet in La Gomera to begin their journey and the race is watched by thousands.
Participants of the challenge row completely unsupported for the full duration of the distance, meaning the Buoys will be leaving behind all their home comforts and taking with them only the necessities.
Follow WorcesterBuoys on social media or log on to www.worcesterbuoys.com for more.
Visit www.justgiving.com/team/worcesterbuoys to donate.
