Let's get behind the Bexhill rowers

As of yesterday morning (Thursday April 23), Row4Charity's Bexhill Trust Challenger craft has maintained a strong lead since the race began from Geraldton, Western Australia, on Sunday.

Thanks to the wonders of modern technology and the global positioning system (GPS), supporters, family and friends are able to track the team's progress over the internet.

The awesome challenge of reaching Mauritius safely and (we hope) in first place is only half the story '“ rowers Matt Hellier, Ian Allen, and Phil and Nick McCorry are also in the process of raising a huge amount of money for The Stroke Association.

The rowers have trained hard both physically and mentally since Row4Charity was formed in February 2008 '“ so are more than capable of meeting the 3,100-mile stretch of ocean head-on.

It is hoped the team will complete the race in 50 days, but the lads have enough food on board for 100 days should they run into difficulties further down the line.

Every week, the Bexhill Observer will be printing updates on Matt, Ian, Nick and Phil's progress '“ including a screen shot of where they are in relation to the rest of the field.

There's a lot of excitement about this race in the Observer's office and the incredible beginning the Bexhill Trust Challenger has made.

Yesterday morning when we checked the team's progress there were a lot of exclamations along the lines of: "Wow, our Bexhill boys are really going for it".

There's no doubt that whatever happens next, these four young men are splendid role models for Bexhill people in their early 20s or younger, and an inspiration for the rest of the town's population.

If Matt, Ian, Nick and Phil win, not only will sponsorship for the Stroke Association flow in more swiftly and in greater amounts, it will be a huge lift for the profile of Bexhill, regionally and perhaps even nationally.

Good luck to the Bexhill Trust Challenger and all who are rowing her '“ the Observer is right behind you.