Press Release: British Adventurer to complete UK row after battling gales and floods

Andrew ‘Mos’ Morris ends 200-mile expedition on a high, raising funds to buy boats and inspire the next generation of rowers and adventurers 
*** PHOTOCALL MONDAY, JULY 23RDAT 2PM
*** RIVERBANK BY THAMES ROWING CLUB, RICHMOND ROAD, PUTNEY, LONDON SW15 1JN
British adventurer Andrew “Mos” Morris, whose attempt at a record-breaking North Atlantic row last month was thwarted by icebergs, will complete the UK leg of his expedition this Monday (July 23).
The 6ft 2in rower from Newark, Nottinghamshire set off up the Bristol Channel two weeks ago (on July 7) and is due to arrive in Putney, south-west London at 2pm on Monday.

During his UK row, Morris, 48, has battled a range of adverse weather and water conditions, including rivers and canals that have burst their banks, floods, storms, gales and torrential rain.

His 200-mile route from the west coast of Britain to London, began in Clevedon, North Somerset on Saturday, July 7 and took him up the Bristol Channel, through inland waterways including the Kennet and Avon canal, and the River Thames.

He made the journey in his ocean-going rowing boat, Bojangles, which is 23ft long and 6ft wide and is manufactured from lightweight Carbon-Kevlar.

Along the way, he was waved on by crowds of well-wishers as he passed through cities, towns and villages including Bath, Bradford on Avon, Devizes, Pewsey, Hungerford, Newbury, Aldermaston, Reading, Henley, Bray and Twickenham.

He was also given daily encouragement and support by teams of volunteers from The Amber Foundation, a residential charity that offers a fresh start to homeless unemployed young adults and helps them gain employment and accommodation.

Andrew Morris said today: “The foul British weather has made this row tougher than expected but I just forged ahead. The weather has been the worst in my memory. The rivers have been running at 5-6 knots and the River Thames still has red flag warnings up.

“Despite the Atlantic set-back, I was determined to finish on a high and to honour our pledge to raise funds for the next generation of British rowers and adventurers.

“Rowing has a great history in Britain and some of our greatest Olympic moments have been due to our success in the sport. So, this is our way of leaving a legacy to be remembered long after the OAR Project rowing challenge is over.

”I’d like to say a huge thank you to all the sponsors, volunteers and members of the public who turned out to support me along the way.”

The trip has raised funds to buy rowing boats for able-bodied and disabled young people, part of the OAR Legacy, which is aimed at encouraging young people to get out on the water and broaden their horizons. The OAR Legacy fund is being administered by The Rowing Foundation, a registered charity whose purpose is to promote the participation in rowing of young people (those under 18 or still in full-time education) and the disabled of all ages.

The North Atlantic row was called off after Canadian ice experts warned about the scale of local ice movements. This followed an event two years ago in which a large chunk of ice, calculated by scientists to be 40 metres thick, broke away from the glacier in Greenland.

The 251-square-kilometre “ice island”, which separated from Greenland’s north-western coast, was the largest iceberg to form in the Arctic since 1962. Recent weather conditions have worsened the ice break-up.

End

Notes to Editors

The Charity

The OAR Project is about much more than rowing. Morris and his team are working in conjunction with The Rowing Foundation to help young people from disadvantaged backgrounds get onto the water and try out rowing for themselves.
1. Go to www.justgiving.com/OARProject and follow the instructions to make a donation. You can leave your own message for the crew and if you’re a UK taxpayer, The Rowing Foundation will be able to claim back GiftAid, and boost your support by 25 per cent.
2. Donate by text – send a text message with the code OARP99 and the amount you’d like to donate (£x) to 70070. If you’re a UK taxpayer, just follow the simple instructions on the text you’ll receive in order for The Rowing Foundation to be able to claim back GiftAid and boost your support by 25 per cent.
Money donated to The OAR Project Legacy fund will be administered by The Rowing Foundation and used to buy boats. Rowing clubs around the UK will be able to put in an application to fund up to 50 per cent of the value of a boat. Primary use of the boat will be for able bodied and disabled young people to get onto the water and have the chance to try out rowing. Further details about the scheme and information about how to apply will be available on The Rowing Foundation website www.therowingfoundation.org.uk.
The OAR Project is at www.oar2012.com
The Amber Foundation is at www.amberweb.org
The Rowing Foundation is at www.therowingfoundation.org.uk

Andrew Morris the Businessman

Andrew Morris is the Chairman and Founder of multi-awarding winning international logistic companies. In addition, he’s the Founder of Icon Motorcycles (www.iconsheene.com) and Icon Motorsport, who specialise in unique, bespoke vehicle design and manufacture.
He also owns and races a 1990 Formula One Lotus, which is the only running Lamborghini-engined F1 car in the world.
Andrew is also the Chairman of the Allseas Group, (www.alseasglobal.com) the heavy-lift freight company he formed in 2005. With headquarters in Nottingham, it has a turnover of more than £30 million and has customers in 50 countries worldwide, with offices in Hong Kong, Singapore, India, Brazil and Dubai. Allseas Global Logistics offers unrivalled expertise in handling the most difficult, challenging and time-critical transportation tasks.
His company International Export Packers (www.exportpackers.co.uk), a large out-of-gauge specialist packing business, is one of the UK’s largest manufacturers of wooden cases and crates.
Another of his companies, The PA Freight Group, (www.pafreight.co.uk) which he founded in 1988, employs more than 100 staff.
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Press Inquiries

For all press inquiries, more information, pictures or to arrange an interview with Andrew Morris, please contact:
Alec Lom on alec@aleclom.com and 07802 401302 or
Naomi Coe on naomi@oar2012.com and 07851 601121.
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