Out & About May 2017

Lesley’s challenge

who skippered the women’s crew across the Atlantic in 2016. Between now and June when she sets sail, Lesley has to do a Rescue at Sea, which will mean she will be “chucked in the water to see if I sink or swim”. She also has to learn First Aid and how to use a VHF radio. Husband Mark and daughter Poppy say they are really proud of Lesley and think it’s a fantastic adventure for her. As well as moral support, Mark is offering technical expertise. He has made a video and created a website called ‘Lesley’s Row’, which gives details of her progress and information about how to donate and how the money will be used.

Lesley said: “I suspect Mark and Poppy think I had better get this out of my system and then I’ll be back to normal again. “But if I’d known how hard it is to get corporate sponsorship I would have painted lots of paintings and sold them, trying to do both is almost impossible.” Meanwhile, on the leg from Dublin to Oban, Scottish friends are ‘plotting to ambush’ Lesley on their boat when Liberty reaches Scottish waters West of Gigha, a small island off the west coast of Kintyre. Then, if they can keep up with Lesley, they will escort her towards Oban, while serenading her with bagpipes. To see Lesley’s paintings visit: lesleyfoden.com

As Lesley is doing eight legs she has to raise £20,000 for the row and £20,000 for her two charities. On her website it says people can donate £10 towards ‘chocolates and navy issue rum’ or £100 per leg for a (rather useful) pair of oars. Friends have already given a donation towards a life-raft. The boat and skipper’s fees plus all the equipment and clothing has to be paid for before Lesley sets foot on the sea. Lesley will be raising money for the RNLI, whose services she hopes she won’t need, and for Sea Changers, which raises awareness about the severe environmental problem of plastic pollution in the seas. To find out more about Lesley’s rowing

challenge and to donate visit: http://row.lesleyfoden.com

I don’t mind as long as I can take tea bags – as I shall miss having a cup of tea the most

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