L to R: Brent Harris, Neil Griffiths, Calum Barclay, Yaser Martini

On the sea with Margot’s consultant, Dr Phil Ancliff, head of Haematology at Great Ormond Street Hospital

Suddenly… it’s TOMORROW !
Following the disappointment of the Celtic Challenge 2016 being cancelled last year owing to bad weather, the team have persevered, retrained and are now ready for this years race. We leave for Ireland tomorrow !

Sometime this weekend (weather permitting), Team Margot Rowers will be embarking on a charity row across the Irish Sea in a Celtic Longboat, in support of Team Margot Foundation & to raise awareness of the urgent need for more people to join the bone marrow register.

The rowing event, which is called the Celtic Challenge, is the longest true rowing race, a 95 mile race across the Irish Sea from Arklow, Ireland to Aberystwyth, Wales. The challenge is likely to take around 24 hours to complete.

L to R: Tom Singlehurst, Brent Harris, Will Slack, Claire Howard-Vyse, Sharon Lamb, Stephanie von Werthern, Emma McPhie, Melinda Beier, Andi Rosandic, Bronwyn Crockett, Jonathan Foster-Kenney

Sharon Lamb, Claire Howard-Vyse, Tom Singlehurst, Melinda Beier, Durand Bailey (Margot’s uncle), Matt Burgess, Stephanie Von Werthern, Andy Webb, JFK, me

Over £32,000 was raised by Team Margot Rowers last year (thank YOU!) and we have re-opened the same donation page again for this year’s event. If you wish to donate, please click this link: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/TeamMargotRowers

For more on how Team Margot Foundation manages money and grants funds raised, please click here: https://www.teammargot.com/team-margot-foundation-review-of-year-two-201617/

THANK YOU to everyone involved: all the rowers, support team & supporters. And also to those who have donated money in support.

Wish us luck !

Team Margot
Together, saving lives

Team Margot Rowers were ‘the face’ of the Great River Race in September. R to L: Emma McPhie, Rob James, Yaser Martini, Matt Burgess, Philippa Esson

with Ian Ross

CELTIC CHALLENGE 2017 TEAM:
Ben Hampshire
Brent Harris
Calum Barclay
Dr Phil Ancliff, Margot’s Haematology Consultant
Emma McPhie
Ian Ross
Martin Beaumont (c)
Matt Burgess
Neil Griffiths
Rob James
Sharon Lamb
Tom Singlehurst
Will Slack
Yaser Martini, Margot’s father

Last year, Ian’s son, Oliver (Y3) painted this picture of “Dad’s rowing holiday” on Sunday. hoping for better news tomorrow !

Rib driver: Mike Smith
Boat Transport to Ireland & trailers to Aberystwyth:
Jeff Hathaway, Margot’s Grandad & AJ, the friendly builder

Other Team Margot Rowers:
Andi Rosandic
Andy Webb
Bronwyn Crockett
Claire Howard-Vyse
James Foster Kenney
James Howard-Vyse
Melinda Beier
Michelle Ridgewell
Philippa Esson
Stephanie Von Werthern

Shortly after publishing this blog post, this news came through… looking good !

For more on Team Margot Rowers: https://www.teammargot.com/back-in-training-for-the-celtic-challenge/

Yaser

Husband to Vicki and father to Oscar (2007), Rufus (2008), Digby (2015), Humphrey (2017) & Margot (2012-2014)