Spearesextreme.co.uk

‘HAND CRANK BIKE APPEAL’

The ‘Hand Crank Bike Appeal’ is fund raising initiative set up by Speares Rowing Club of Stratford upon Avon, in order to raise funds for a hand crank bike for David Martin.

David Martin, a founder member of Speares Rowing Club, who, together with 3 fellow oarsmen (Atlantic4)embarked on the worlds’ toughest rowing event – The Atlantic Rowing Race. During this challenge David rowed a staggering 5,000km unassisted from San Sebastian de la Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua in the West Indies.  The race took 49 days during which the four oarsmen were forced to co-exist in a 24ft rowing boat during the worst weather since records began for December and January.

Having conquered the world’s toughest rowing race, David decided that life was too easy, and so embarked on his next challenge: a gruelling 250km running race in the dessert – The Augrabies Extreme Marathon. The event took place in South Africa over a period of 7 days in extreme desert conditions. This event took place in October 07 and was a self-sufficient run requiring that participants carry all their own supplies, including clothes and survival equipment for the duration of the event.

Sadly, less than 48 hours after finishing the event David was involved in a near fatal car crash. Following a three week period in Cape Town intensive care, David was flown home to the UK. The crash has left him paralysed from the chest down with no use whatsoever of his lower limbs and severely limited use of his arms.

The Atlantic4 oarsmen are again getting together for the 2009 London Marathon. David hopes to enter the event using a hand crank bike that will need to be specifically designed for him.  By October 08 Speares Rowing Club hope to have raised sufficient money to be able to buy this bike, thus giving the team sufficient time to train!

Various fund raising events are being planned for the year in order to raise money for the hand crank bike.  The final event will be the Speares Sports Club Annual Ball , being held on the 11th October 2008.  Tickets are now on sale for £65.00. Early bird prices are available, contact us to secure your tickets.

Other challenging events  set up to raise funds is a cycle event from Mexico to Canada in June 08 – 1800 miles in 18 days; the 3 Peaks 24-hour Challenge -climbing Ben Nevis (4,406’), Scafell Pike (3,209’) and Snowdon (3,560’) in under 24 hours and also the ‘Build your own Go-Kart’ event!

For further details regarding the 'Hand Crank Bike Appeal' or to purchase tickets for the Speares Sports Club Annual Ball please call Richard Ludlow on 07778 412760 or Vanessa Crookes on 07887 701118.

Victorious 4!  David Martin (on the very left), Glynn Coupland, Neil Wightwick, George Simpson after their gruelling row