About me
Battling through a difficult childhood taught me to be resilient, determined and to meet challenges head on, all qualities that I will need in buckets to overcome the challenge of my lifetime to row solo unsupported the 3000 miles from La Gomera in the Canary Islands, to Antigua in the Caribbean.....THE WORLD'S TOUGHEST ROW - ATLANTIC.
In every area whether it be family, business or sport, I have always tried to be the best at whatever I do, to at least try to fulfil my dreams and ambitions and to encourage those around me to do the same. My mantra has always been, To try is not to fail,......to fail is not to try.
Of course, there have been challenges and setbacks, but I'd like to think that overall, I've done ok.
I have a wonderful family, my wife of 45 years Valerie and I have brought up three amazing children all of whom are hardworking and successful in their own right with families of their own. We have always tried to show them that anything is possible, to be brave, ambitious, to challenge themselves, but to never compromise their integrity in doing so.
In my working life I left school with no qualifications, but through sheer hard work, dedication, a little luck and taking the opportunities that were presented to me, I rose to the heady heights of being a main board director of a very successful company with a turnover approaching £100 million when I retired.
In sport, my true love was playing football and like any child growing up, I always harboured the ambition to play for my country . Sadly, that ambition passed me by, but on my retirement I was introduced to walking football! At the age of 62, I signed for my beloved club Derby County and my ambition of playing for my country was refuelled! On the 20th August 2020 at the age of 65 I proudly made my debut for the England WFC over 60's. I've since been awarded 5 England Caps with the great honour of being captain twice before retiring in 2023 to concentrate on my Atlantic Row.
I trained and rowed in the British Indoor Rowing Championships in my early 50's. I finished second to last but gave it my all and broke my personal best time. Not long after, I rowed indoor a marathon distance non-stop for charity in 3 hours 40 minutes, a distance of 42,200m or 26.2 miles.
Much to the surprise of many, including my family, I trained and entered the boxing ring at the age of 56 to fight a chap much younger than me to raise money for charity....I made a creditable draw, made lots of money for my charity and retired undefeated!
Age has never been a barrier to me in fulfilling my dreams. At the age of 70 I will be embarking on an ambition and dream I have had for a number of years.... to row the Atlantic Ocean solo unsupported.
By successfully fulfilling this dream, I will reward my corporate partners for their faith and confidence in me. I am determined to raise over £200,000 for my chosen charities and to demonstrate that no matter what your ambitions or dreams, with a positive outlook, with strength of character, with a determination to succeed you can BELIEVE and you can ACHIEVE!
Wish me Luck and thank you for your support!
The Challenge
