Sean is half of the crew from the North Easts first ever entry in the Talisker Whisky Challenge; a 3000 mile race across the Atlantic Ocean in rowing boats completely unassisted. It will take between 45 and 90 days to row across depending upon the weather.
Both lads are locals who work together. Sean is an NUFC fan while Paul, is a Sunderland fan and obviously this brings with it the usual banter. They are raising money for specifically two local causes; the North East Alzheimer's Society and St Clare's Hospice in Jarrow and all money raised will stay within the region. So far, all of their sponsors have also been local.
The lads need as much publicity as they can get to help boost their profile to help them raise as much as they can for the charities and also to attract corporate sponsors to advertise on the boat as this money will be paying for the kit needed for the race.
Both lads are serious about the race and they aim to win. They have both done many endurance events and are not in it to make up the numbers. Sean holds the fastest UK time for a rowed marathon for the last year and is also one of the World record holders for the longest non stop 'tandem' row on a Concept2 rowing machine which stands at 30 hours 30 minutes without allowing the flywheel to stop.
Despite the fact that they are from opposite sides of the fence football wise they are sure that they will be able to an sit in a boat without killing each other for two months. They actually attended the Stadium of light recently for a photo shoot with their boat and Sean turned up in his Newcastle top which drew a few suspicious looks, but he had to maintain his integrity!
Back to business. The North East, cancer and Alzheimer's doesn’t care what colour your top is so if you can support the lads in any way either through making a donation or through corporate sponsorship then please get in touch and follow their progress via their website at www.NorthEastAtlanticChallenge.co.uk