Bexhill Trust Challenger offical launch

More than 150 supporters attended the event which was filmed by both BBC TV South and Meridian TV.

The ceremony started with the Row4Charity crew being introduced to the crowd - they are Matt Hellier, Ian Allen, and brothers Nick and Phil McCorry who will be rowing the boat from Western Australia to Mauritius, a distance of around 3500 miles.

Row4Charity has raised funds to compete in the challenge but is also raising money for The Stroke Association by taking part in the Woodvale Challenge Indian Ocean Rowing Race 2009 which starts Sunday April 19.

Chris Starnes of the Bexhill Trust, Row4Charity's primary sponsor, spoke at the launch about his hopes for the lads in their epic adventure and said he felt their efforts would put Bexhill on the international map.

Chris Wynn, the Stroke Association's South East Regional Fundraising Manager, then told the crowd about her admiration for Row4Charity's efforts in raising not only funds but awareness of the effects of stroke.

Special guest at the event was Geoff Allum, who with his cousin Don rowed the Atlantic in 1971 in 71 days and set a record that wasn't broken for 29 years.

They achieved it in a plywood Dory without a cabin or shelter, static seats, no satellite navigation or communication systems, nor any back-up, which illustrates the depth of their efforts. He spoke highly of the crew, what they might expect to experience on their journey as well as predicting the boys will win the race.

Geoff has now accepted an offer to be the technical advisor to the team and brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge that few others possess. He then went on to christen the boat by spraying Champagne over the bows of the boat while officially naming her the 'Bexhill Trust Challenger'.

An evening reception was held at the Bexhill Rowing Club and a packed audience was entertained by Geoff Allum who told the story of his crossing - although the mums of the crew all looked a little pale afterwards.

The crew members have now attended a week's course in seamanship in Southampton where they all passed with flying colours. The boat has gone to Devon where it will be kitted out then shipped to Australia for the start of the race in mid-April.

Fundraising on behalf of the Stroke Association will continue up to the start of the event, during the race and afterwards to raise as much money as possible.

A Row4Charity spokesman said: "We would like to thank Janet Taylor of Premier Marinas and all her staff for allowing the event to be held in the scenic setting of Sovereign Harbour. They contributed in making it a special and successful day."