CLAN North Atlantic rowers take to the seas

A team of six Orkney fundraisers are planning to set off on a 200-mile rowing challenge, between Shetland and the Faroe Islands, this afternoon, Monday.

The rowers — Davie Flett, Marty Flett, Keith Moar, Ivan Houston, Gary Coltherd and Dave Shearer — have waited around two months for a suitable weather window.

They have taken up the challenge for The Orkney and Shetland CLAN North Atlantic Row 2011, which will see them travel the route, taking it in turns with two other six-man crews from Shetland, in a 28-foot wooden rowing boat, the Rippek.

Davie Flett said from Shetland on Monday: “The forecast is the best it has been the whole summer — it’s favourable both sides, Shetland and the Faroes.

“Everybody is geared up for it.”

They have raised around £21,000 to date, with more money still coming in.

You can keep up to date with the rowers’ progress by logging on to www.alfredflett.co.uk/rowing_challenge.html. To make a donation, or to learn more about the challenge, log on to www.justgiving.com/ClanNorthAtlanticRow.