From left to right, Barry, James, Billy and Robin

The countdown to Row the Indian Ocean is underway, but a number of essential items are still needed before the rowers reach the start line in Exmouth, Western Australia, next June.

The four crew members embarking on the gruelling voyage have expressed their gratitude to those who have donated money and equipment to support their mammoth challenge so far, while reminding others that it is not too late to get behind the project.

Row the Indian Ocean will see four courageous men – one of whom has been diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease – row 3,600 miles across the Indian Ocean to raise awareness of, and money for, a number of vital Parkinson’s charities.

They are likely to face a number of challenges along the way: exhaustion and extreme weight loss are almost certain, and they will never have more than 90 minutes sleep at a time. The crew will also be completely unsupported, and will have to overcome treacherous seas, without any form of rescue being able to reach them for up to a possible seven days.

“We are immensely grateful for the donations received so far,” said Skipper Billy Taylor, who previously broke two world records, rowing 2,800 miles in the Great Pacific Race, with fellow teammate Barry Hayes.

“We are all blown away by the generosity of those who have donated money or kit to enable us to undertake this expedition,” said Billy. “However, we still have some way to go to get to the start line!”

“Our sponsorship is open to everyone, so if there are any other parties out there who would like to be affiliated with this potentially record-breaking expedition, please get in touch.”

Row the Indian Ocean aims to increase awareness of Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease, while raising much-needed funds for The Clear Trust, RAFT and Parkinson’s UK – all of whom work tirelessly to support those with the disease and people with other conditions.

Parkinson’s UK empowers and supports thousands of individuals living with the condition, as well as conducts groundbreaking research to improve treatments, and find a cure to the often-debilitating disease; The Clear Trust provides physical exercise and rehabilitation programmes to those suffering co-ordination difficulties, and RAFT gives access to pioneering new treatments to improve the quality of life for those who have suffered physical trauma.

The Pinchbeck Charitable Trust has made a grant available to Row the Indian Ocean; Trustee Robin Pinchbeck explained: “We are proud to be sponsoring this ambitious project in service of a great and vital cause – the defeat of Parkinson’s Disease. We salute the crew for taking on the challenge, and wish them the very best of luck in their mission.”

Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease is the same as the idiopathic Parkinson’s disease, but is diagnosed in those before the age of 50. Approximately 120,000 people are affected by Parkinson’s in the UK today according to Parkinson’s UK. Physical symptoms include tremors, impaired posture, speech change and muscle stiffness which can make it difficult to move around. This can cause severe pain, meaning that many of those living with the condition also end up struggling with depression as it takes hold.

The row is likely to test the crew to the limit, both physically and mentally, with each rower working in two-hour shifts, around the clock, in an attempt to safely cross the ocean, and beat the current record of 72 days.

A department of Oxford Brookes University, which is dedicated to exploring optimal human performance in health and disease, will investigate how Robin Buttery – living with the condition and taking on the row – will cope with the prolonged physical and mental stresses throughout the process. It is hoped the research will throw a different light on Parkinson’s disease proving it is a metabolic condition, as well as a neurological one.  These findings have the potential to redefine how Parkinson’s is viewed and ultimately treated in the future.

The crew will also use the row as an opportunity to encourage school children to take up exercise and live a healthy lifestyle. Utilising equipment supplied by sponsor Marine Camera Solutions, the crew will be able to video chat on-board with pupils from up and down the country about a host of subjects from oceanography and geography to meteorology, marine life and conservation.

Fewer than 50 people have ever successfully completed the feat. Robin Buttery, Billy Taylor, Barry Hayes and James Plumley will, if successful, enter the record books as the fastest-ever four-person team to row the Indian Ocean.

Donations can be made via the website, and those interested in sponsoring the event can get in contact via the following link: http://www.rowtheindianocean.com/contact/

The post Row the Indian Ocean crew closer to start-line appeared first on All At Sea.