Rowing to Faroe in support of CLAN
A TEAM of rowers from Shetland and Orkney is making good progress towards the neighbouring Faroe Islands after leaving from Aith, in Shetland, on Monday evening.
The twelve rowers from Shetland and six from Orkney are raising funds for CLAN, the cancer support charity that among many other services provide accommodation for islanders and their families who have to travel to Aberdeen for medical treatment.
They reckon, between them it will take between two and three days to row in a traditional Shetland yoal to Vagur, on Faroe’s most southern island of Suduroy.
Supported for safety by the workboat Constructor, the former council ferry Fylga, rowers will work two hours shifts of six rowers and a coxswain to complete the 186 nautical miles to the Faroe Islands.
The idea of rowing into the open Atlantic and crossing over to Faroe after a similar venture from Shetland to Bergen, in Norway, was successfully completed in 2004.
The weather didn’t look too promising when they left just after 6pm from the pier at Aith, but organisers of the CLAN North Atlantic Row said they were confident that a south easterly airflow would help them to complete their challenge.
Organiser Brian Adamson, from Burra, said: “If the weather conditions were ideal I believe we could do this in between 48 and 50 hours. If the wind is with us and not too bad I am quite confident that we can do this in 48 hours.
“If the wind is against us and the sea conditions are bad, it will be longer. How long, I do not know.”
The adventure is sponsors by local construction firm Tulloch Developments who have pledged £1,000 towards the fund raising efforts.
Rower David Flett, from Kirkwall, said CLAN was dear to many people’s heart in the northern isles.
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“A lot of people from the islands use the facility at CLAN, it very much provides a home from home.
“When you come from the islands and you travel hundreds of miles for medical treatment, then it is much appreciated to have a nice place to go to where you are very much welcomed.”
Donations can be made via the Just Giving website at: www.justgiving.com/ClanNorthAtlanticRow and the rowers progress can be followed via this link: www.alfredflett.co.uk/rowing_challenge.html
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