WARRINGTON businessman Mark Brocklehurst spent two months at sea in an open boat, rowing 3,000 miles and negotiating 50 foot waves helping raise £250,000 for charity.
Together with three other “bedgralled businessmen” Mark, who is MD at the Warrington based Sharples Group took on all this and more in the aptly named Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.
Mark and his three companions undertook this challenge of a lifetime to raise £250,000 for the Bolton Lads and Girls Club.
The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge is tagged the toughest race of its kind on earth. It’s more than a handful for even the most experienced
professional rower. Yet three of the four businessmen who took on the 3,000 mile slog from La Gomera in the Canaries to Antigua had hardly rowed any further than across their local park lake!
Passionate about a project at the Bolton Lads and Girls Club to provide life-changing guidance to local youngsters, they took on this ultimate challenge to raise much-needed funds.
Serial challenge enthusiast Mark and his crewmates knew right from the beginning that it was going to be no pleasure cruise.
However, even they did not bargain for quite how tough things were to work out.
In fact, when their 29’ boat capsized, some sincerely wondered whether their time had come!
Still, 59 days, 18 hours and 9 seconds later, the guys crossed the finishing line a very creditable eighth.
Now the only figure they need to think about is the £250,000 target for the project. Contributions are still very welcome, which can be made at any time by visiting www.boltonatlanticchallenge.co.uk or www.boltonladsandgirlsclub.co.uk
Mark (2nd left) celebrates with his team mates after completing the Atlantic Challenge
