Lin & Rachel mid-Atlantic

Lin on Christmas Day

Rachel has been as busy as ever, and although we eventually gave our place at the Earls Court Boat Show to the Ocean Angels (who are taking on the legacy of fundraising for Breast Cancer Care), she's been kept on her toes with a variety of speaking engagements and fundraising events for the charity.

In the last 3 weeks of November alone, she crammed in six speeches. Two of which were motivational talks for different groups at Bank of Scotland and a third for a Pensioners Association. This is challenging in many ways as the story needs to be adapted to suit the wide ranging audiences.

Then in addition to the regular bookings, she had completed a pilot with the Princes Trust for their 'Get Into' program in the North West. Aimed at 18-25 year olds who are deemed virtually ready to work, Rachel was brought in to use both her dragon boat racing and the rowing challenge to inspire attendees. Her challenge was to develop a whole morning with two sessions, using a more interactive approach than a regular 'speech' and to reiterate thekey messages that underpin the Get Into program.

Rachel on Christmas Day

A week later though and it was back to school as she delivered a speech and workshop to sixth formers at Queens Park High School in Chester. Built around the theme of 'reach for the stars', her task was to motivate the students with the story of the rowing challenge, then hlep them to develop a collage in their common room - aimed at motivating them as they prepare for the future.

At the end of December our Justgiving web page will be switched off (although the Atlantic Rowing Challenge site will still be live), and our fundraising bank account drawn to a close, so now really is your last chance to make a donation! There are still funds trickling in and it has been fantastic to see the lovely messages on the Justgiving pages, but that's not the only source of funds.

We're pleased to announce that the HBOS Foundation has just confirmed that they have match funded at £2,724 donation raised by the Bank of Scotland Dealer Finance staff, while the lovely team at Eddisbury Tangent have added to the £1,500 they raised in the summer, with a further cheque for £600.

First time on the water!

But to sweeten the sorrow of seeing Barbara Ivy go to her new owners, one of our longest standing and most supportive sponsors, Joules Clothing, stepped up to offer us one last wish list of beautiful clothes from their winter collection. Happy smiley faces all round then!

But, as we look back and remember how it felt during our first few days and nights on the water, as we adjusted to life out at sea, all that remains now is for us to wish you a very happy Christmas and all the best for 2009.

Best Wishes, Rachel & Lin