Marlow’s top rowing club is set to welcome another record-breaking attempt to its string of success, as Paralympic gold medallist, Naomi Riches MBE, prepares to become the fastest woman to row 165 miles along the Thames.
Naomi, who brought back gold after London’s 2012 Paralympics, plans to complete the challenge in under 50 hours – with no sleep - kicking off from Lechlade on Saturday, September 17 and finishing at Gravesend.
The mammoth mission aims to raise awareness and money for Naomi’s patron charity IN- vision – a charity dedicated to researching eye condition Infantile Nystagmus, which she was diagnosed with at just 2 months old.
After deliberating over a number of ideas of how to even start such a big operation, the rower and founder of the charity Liz Charter decided to call on the help of Sir Steve Redgrave.
Naomi said: “I had an idea years ago about rowing down the Thames. I did not know where to start but I knew it was a long way and I wanted to raise awareness of the abilities of people with disabilities.
“There are charities I am passionate about but none that I had a personal connection with and I wasn’t really sure where to start.
“Liz Charter - who is the founder IN- vision - asked me to be patron of the charity in 2014 so I suggested my plans I to her and she said I was mad but we decided to go with it.
“We contacted Sir Steve and went to see if he had any ideas. He said we need to do something that is well known and said we may get more attention if we go for a Guinness world record.
“I have done a lot of really cool stuff and rowing in 2012 was the best day of my life so far but you have a cox and other members of the team with you. If I fail this it’s my fault and if I do well it is also my fault.”
The current record was set by Malcom Knight - who has helped Naomi prepare for the challenge - in 2005 in just over 43 hours.
Naomi also hopes to raise £165,000 - £1,000 for each mile and is encouraging companies to sponsor a leg of the journey.
Naomi continued: “There are researchers around the UK but they do not have the same equipment. If they have the same equipment they would be able to start sharing their information and research and help find a cure.
“The patient pathway needs to be improved. Nothing has really improved over the past 32 years, parents still have the same questions as my mum did all those years ago.”
A launch party for the record breaking attempt is set to take place at Marlow Rowing Club in August, where the voluntary team working behind the scenes will be celebrated.
For regular updates on how Naomi's training is going go to http://in-vision.org.uk/patrons-blog/ or go to the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/thegreatthamesrow2016/
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