A husband and wife team who are preparing to row across the Atlantic Ocean for charity have made an urgent appeal for help to keep their dream alive.
East Midlands couple Jooles and Ian Paillin-Dean have received a major blow to their plans after unexpected repairs to their boat were identified following an independent survey of the vessel.
The repairs, estimated to cost around £7,000, will have to be carried out before the boat undergoes a final assessment by the race organisers on 1st September.
Jooles and Ian now face a race against time to raise the extra money and ensure the repair work is completed within just six weeks.
“This is a major set-back but after all the time, effort and money invested in the project we are determined to succeed and help our chosen charities,” said Ian.
Jooles added: “We desperately need this extra sponsorship money to ensure we meet the deadline. We’ve done everything in our power to be ready for the race and we can’t afford to let our sponsors and charities down.”
The intrepid pair, known as Stronger Twogether, have been in training for the ‘World’s Toughest Row,’ which starts in December. The huge challenge involves rowing 3,000 miles and battling waves up to 30 feet high.
The couple, who live in Ratcliffe-On-Soar, are raising money for the LOROS hospice charity, the Rivers Trust and My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
Their boat, called Polly, is over ten years old and will be the last Classic-style vessel to enter the race. Other boats taking part have a more modern design and are lighter in weight.
Anyone willing to help fund the extra costs for the boat repairs, along with ongoing charity sponsorship, can contact the couple through their website, www.strongertwogether.co.uk, or their fund-raising page: https://www.givewheel.com/fundraising/6290/worlds-toughest-row-atlantic-2025/?donateform=show.
