Shropshire Star

Atlantic rowers have land in sight after 3,000 mile journey

A team of rowers travelling across the Atlantic have landfall in their sights – and are hoping to reach dry land this weekend.

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The Toby Wallace Crew, made up of seven rowers including 47-year-old Steve Harpin, from Shrewsbury, and skipper Simon Chalk, from Loggerheads, left Gran Canaria on November 24.

The team had hoped to reach the finish line in Barbados within 32 days to break the world record but have now missed the deadline.

Rowers Steve Harpin and Christophe Legeais

They are expected to reach their final destination in the next few days and satellite maps issued by the team show just how close they are to land.

Mr Harpin, 47, has set up a charity donation page with the hope of raising a significant sum for the Bickerstaff Unit at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford, , where his trainer, Jim Mostyn, was diagnosed with bowel cancer two years ago.

Before setting off, Mr Harpin, who runs Shrewsbury-based Shropshire Adventure Rowing Club, said: "I thought it was a wonderful challenge and if I did not do it now, at my age, I would never do it.

"I asked Jim to train me for the crossing. Jim's life was saved by the Bickerstaff Unit when they found a tumour two years ago so it seemed appropriate to raise the money for them.

"Without Jim's help I would not be ready to row across the Atlantic."

The spot where the rowing crew celebrated New Year's Eve

A spokeswoman from Oceanus Rowing, organisers of the challenge, said: "The team has asked us to thank everyone for the messages of support that have been helping the guys particularly during the tough times."

To follow the progress visit www.oceanus rowing.co.uk/atlantic-ocean-rowing

To donate go to www.justgiving.com/Stephen-Harpin.

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