A team of four ex-Royal Marines are celebrating today
after completing their Atlantic row challenge over the weekend,
raising a phenomenal £120,000 for The Prostate Cancer
Charity.
On 14th December, the four-man boat, named HM&S Twiggy,
departed the Canary Islands for Barbados. 65 days, 2604 miles and
2,880 boiled sweets later, the team arrived in Port St. Charles,
Barbados. Braving difficult mid-Atlantic weather conditions and
pushing their bodies to physical limits was relatively easy
compared to the sorts of things they saw in their years in the
Royal Marines.
The Prostate Marksmen - consisting of Graham Witham, Ken
Maynard, Jason Howard-Ady and Aldo Diana - far exceeded their
£75,000 fundraising target for the charity by hosting a range of
fundraising activities, including three rowathons in London,
Southampton and Bournemouth, and selling £5,000 worth of raffle
tickets. M&S employees also contributed by raising over £60,000
towards the total in just three weeks.
Crew captain and Marks & Spencer employee, Graham
Witham commented: "It's been a challenging but incredible journey
and it wouldn't have been possible without the overwhelming support
of friends, family and sponsors. The amount of money we've been
able to fundraise is a testament to that."
Owen Sharp, Chief Executive of The Prostate Cancer
Charity, said: "We are truly grateful for the Prostate Marksmen's
efforts in this impressive challenge in support of The Prostate
Cancer Charity. Their Herculean endeavour exemplifies the superb
spirit in which M&S employees have taken this partnership to
their hearts and made it such a success. This is a clear sign of
their ongoing support, dedication and commitment to helping us
fight prostate cancer."
Marc Bolland, Chief Executive of M&S, commented: "It
goes without saying that the accomplishment Graham and his
crewmates have achieved is truly exceptional. Not only have they
crossed an ocean to raise awareness of the important work that The
Prostate Cancer Charity does, but also they have been an
inspiration for all of us at M&S."