First of all, thanks from Lee.
Cool, it actually works…
OK first things first.
I’ve wanted to Solo the Atlantic since I was a child, I don’t know what force was guiding me to do so and I cannot even begin to honestly answer the question “why are you doing it”, there is just “a something” that is making me do it. I know it will be a horrendous experience, I expect it to be and am prepared for this but what will make it easier though is if YOU THE READER does a little something for me, I’ll say what it is in a minute.
When I decided to finally commit and actually go for it I genuinely believed that ‘a massive’ corporate sponsor was bound to come forward and stump up all the cash for the expedition… This wasn’t the case, it has been a hard, horrendous, stressful and time consuming hurdle to get to where we are now and in truth Rob and I have only raised about 1.7% of what we need. The rest of our costs we have loaned and have also been forced to spend our life savings, so as of 31st August 2009 2hopes is predominantly self funded!
No big deal, or “no biggy” as I’m from Liverpool. At least not as long as YOU THE READER understands that despite this “invisible force” driving us to row across an Ocean, we do have a motive, an agenda, and that is to raise as much money as we can for wounded servicemen and women (my row for BLESMA and Rob’s row for H4H). If I can convince YOU THE READER to donate even a pound to BLESMA it would make me smile. If I can achieve my target I will genuinely smile all the way to Antigua. fair enough if you don’t want to donate until I set off or wait until I reach the halfway point or wait until I finish, I’m not fussed, just pledge, please!
Now, I digress. Despite what I’ve said about being mostly self funded I do need to thank the people who have so far helped us to get to where we are now. Because without their help we genuinely would not be here, about to set off!
So, from the bottom of my heart I’d like to thank the following people.
Rob.
Rob you’re a star, without your trust and belief in me I would not be doing this row, at best I’d be in a crappy wooden boat, thanks, I will not let you down!
Andy,
A stalwart. I always knew you would help me. Cheers mate.
Paul,
An Ex-Para helping an Ex-Marine? What’s the world coming to..? Cheers mate!
Niel,
An ambassador for Brummies, thanks mate, thanks to you the boat looks amazing, I owe you one big time! BTW, send me your logo ASAP mate so we can get a link up to your company Fabric8!
Woody,
Mum’s the word! 
Bernie,
Top website, thanks!
Now, there are others who have helped us through Rob who I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting yet so I best leave that to Rob to thank.
Cheers – get pledging!
Lee