Rowing pair are 800 miles off Barbados
Two adventurous Shropshire men are gradually closing in on the finish line of their charity row across the Atlantic.
Alex Bland and Harry Martin-Dreyer have about 800 miles to go to reach Barbados after leaving Gran Canaria more than a month ago. Their efforts have inspired more than £130,000 in donations – cash to be split between Cure Leukaemia, and JDRF, a type 1 diabetes research charity.
In the latest update on their Facebook page, the boys thanked friends, family and supporters who have been sending them e-mails while they are at sea. They said the messages were the highlight of their days and helping keep spirits up as the marathon 3,000 mile journey continues. Calm weather has slowed progress but the boys are expecting winds to pick up this weekend to speed them towards their final destination, where a first meal of a burger and chips has already been arranged.
"We have never wanted to be anywhere so much as we want to be in Barbados right now," they said. "At the same time as thanking you all so much for your wonderful e-mails we'd also like to apologise for our lack of direct responses.
"Writing during the day is almost impossible with the bright sunlight on the screens and then, at night, we simply collapse into sleep and being in the cabin is so grim that we just want to sleep. But we are receiving your e-mails and they are honestly the highlight of the day, we love hearing about what you are up to and what's going on in the real world so thank you all very much."
