Rowers from Yealm have planned an inspirational charity event in memory of Harry Martin. Organised by Harry’s brother James Martin, plus four friends including Moses Sherrell and Fred Stitson, the event is scheduled to take place on the 14th and 15th of June 2024.
The Noss Mayo community are planning to mark the 10 year anniversary by taking on a momentous 100 mile coast to coast cycle ride and an epic 28 mile row around the Eddystone Lighthouse.
The challenge aims to pay tribute to friend, brother and son, Harry Martin, who lost his life at just 18 years old. Harry was a passionate supporter and competitor at the River Yealm Regatta, a traditional event originating from the rivalry between Noss Mayo and Newton Ferrers fishermen, who compete for victory in iconic crabber boats. By rowing the ‘crabbers’ around the Eddystone, Harry’s friends intend to both remember Harry and honor his passion for rowing and the local community.
Fred Stitson, a close friend of Harry’s said: “We are all Noss Mayo born and bred, the village is a close knit community that is centered around a river, which meant a lot of the things we did and took part in growing up revolved around being on and in the water. Our parents rowed together and got us all involved from a young age, starting off coxing to then rowing competitively. Harry and I first started competing in our local regatta at the age of 8, we rowed together for 10 years in the pairs and crabbers. We went from coming last in the Under 12’s Pairs to first in the Men’s Pairs at the age of 18.”
Participants are planning to complete the 100 mile cycle across Devon and 28 mile row from the River Yealm and round the Eddystone Lighthouse in just 8 hours. All 40 of the people taking part are friends and family of Harry’s.
Some of the participants have previously taken part in similar challenges including the London River race in a gig. The 28 mile row will be attempted in ‘crabbers’ kindly loaned by the River Yealm Regatta.
Fred Stitson said: “A gig and a crabber are night and day. Gigs are beautiful smooth fast boats and crabbers are like rowing buses with telegraph poles for oars. But getting Harry’s family, friends and the community together to attempt and achieve something quite ridiculous, whilst raising money for some amazing charities in the memory of a great person. And of course we will be looking forward to that first pint when we get back to the pub.”
The event will offer the chance for the community to come together to achieve something amazing, a truly heartwarming tribute to Harry.
We look forward to reporting on the event in June 2024. In the meantime you can visit their GoFundMe page to donate and share your words of support. If you knew Harry and would like to take part in the event, please contact James via the GoFundMe page.
Photo credit: Graham Edwards
No Comments on "Ride and Row for Harry Martin"