Crossing the Solent in a pedalo ?!

[The Boss]

In a moment of madness, I have decided that I will be crossing the solent (extremely busy shipping lane) on a pedalo on the 8th November, raising funds for the Wessex Rehabilitation Centre in Salisbury I spent 3 months at the centre 5 years ago, following a major arm injury, where the tremendous work enabled me to get over 30% movement back in the arm.

The harbour master has already boosted my confidence by telling me that, even on a hot summmers day where the sea looks completely flat, the middle section is "bloody rough". How bad can it be in the middle of November, aside from the 20ft waves and the cross channel ferries and container ships ?

The website is here (I will be adding an ongoing total of funds raised)

You can help in 3 ways:-

1. Make a donation via the site
2. Tell anyone and everyone about the event, to maximise PR opportunities.
3. Come along to Gosport at 9am and wave us off

[Mark]

It will be their role to not only maintain radio contact with the harbour master to ensure we don't hit any cross channel ferries...

Surely the aim is them not hitting you! I've made a donation - good luck.

[The Boss]

Thanks Mark, very much appreciated.

You could be right, I can only begin to imagine how big those ferries are when you're nearby at sea level.

Please let as many people as you can know about the event!
We're also putting together corporate sponsorship packages which will be released soon. We're expecting some excellent coverage on this event.

[NikkiPilkington]

I think it's a great idea - and a great site (well done Rachie!).

Oh and Mike, it was nice knowing you

[The Boss]

Having spoken to some well informed people in the last few days, myself and the safety team have decided to postpone the event until the 6th June.

We were being told that in November, the chances of actually succeeding were very low.

Because of the tides, and significant volumes of large marine traffic, it will still be a significant challenge, but at least we now have a better chance of achieving it!

So, longer to prepare physically and longer to sort out some decent sponsorship opportunities and try and raise some decent money for the great cause.

[fantasycouriers]

There are some mamouth currents out there! And i can remember one place in particular that 3 different currents meet head on. I am glad that you are postponing

[Emma]

Let us know when the sponsorship rates have been worked out.

[The Boss]

Thanks for your support

[The Boss]

Please become a fan of the event here

You don't have to donate, or go to the event, but if you can at least become a fan on facebook, the more fans we get, the more chance we have of getting some good press coverage for the event!

Tell your friends, children, your friend's children etc etc ;-)

[The Boss]

Slowly gathering pace with this.

You can follow us on twitter at @solentpedal, also our blog is here

The blog is now being featured in the local paper the Bournemouth Echo, who are also talking about putting a mini video camera on the pedalo itself.

Press release due to be going out next week, just waiting for event t-shirts to arrive so we can get the cheesy photo!

All support is much appreciated, please follow us on twitter and retweet about us!

Thanks

Mike

[The Boss]

Just realised, clearly I hadn't mentioned, the event was put back until June 6th! Which happens to be D-day, not sure if that's a good or a bad thing?!

You can follow us on Twitter @solentpedal

And of course, all donations are very gratefully received, you can sponsor us via the event website which is here

I know a number of people are hoping to come down to watch us drown, erm I mean triumph, perhaps we could have a UKBL gathering?

[bobpilk]

Perhaps I should come along with some daylight fireworks and flares so that the big ships have a chance of seeing you. Freebies of course, PM me

[Lasting Designs]

You might want to get Wightlink www.wightlink.co.uk to sponsor you in some way. They're usually an excellent source of help and do loads, even if it offering tickets to help you get the pedelo back! (I assume you aren't going both ways ) Kerry Jackson used to deal with that sort of thing, her ex-hubby is a DJ at Wave 105 his name is Rick Jackson and lives in Gosport. They (Wightlink & the Radio Station) also like the quirky, so offering to fly a Wightlink flag might give you an "in" then look to get both the Radio station and The IW County Press www.iwcp.co.uk to help you raise awareness, this side of the Solent, Editor Alan Mariott.

I hope this helps.

[The Boss]

Bob,

Thanks so much for the kind offer, will certainly drop you a PM, would be great to do something.

And also a huge thanks to Lasting designs, some great contacts there, who I will definitely try.


Keep 'em coming folks!

[AboveParr]

You're clearly mad! So I'll become a fan etc etc...

[The Boss]

Great sea trial video here

A few corporate sponsors coming on board now, BBC South Today News will be covering it, I'm due to be interviewed by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston on Radio Solent in the next few weeks.

Lots of things happening, please continue spreading the word and if you've not sponsored us yet, we'd welcome anything you can spare. Sponsor us here

[The Boss]

Just over 2 weeks to go and the nerves are starting to kick in now! Will I be going to a watery grave aboard a duck?!

Some nice good luck messages on the site now from Will Carling and Sir Steve Redgrave.

Last call for any potential corporate sponsors, we still have space on the pedalo for logos etc , including the potentially most visible part of the pedalo, the underside!!!