New venture for record-breaking rower & local entrepreneur

INDIAN OCEAN rower Matt Hellier and Bexhill paper maché coffin maker/entrepreneur Dennis Marshall have teamed up to plan another once in a lifetime journey sailing a boat, made from recycled materials, across the channel.

Matt, along with crew mates Ian Allen, Phil and Nick McCorry - better known as the Row4Charity team '“ successfully won the first ever Indian Ocean race last year, and raised 15,000 for the Stroke Association.

Since returning to dry land Matt has teamed up with "green" campaigner Dennis, who he met prior to his epic voyage. Dennis has campaigned for an Eco-ethos for many years and came into contact with Matt a few days before he embarked on his epic ocean row, and asked him if sailing aspecially made catamarandown the Thames would interest him.

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Matt said: "At first I thought Dennis was measuring me up for one of his coffins, but once he explained his plans, to build a sailing boat made out of recycled newspaper and vinyl records, I was quite happy to join the team!"

However, Matt, still fresh from the Indian Ocean, has a bigger prize in mind:

"The new plan is to sail her down the Thames and then across the English Channel. A successful build - assuming she sails - will mean setting a new World Record. Sailing her down the Thames will break an old World Record set by a paper kayak, and finally crossing the Channel will set the third World Record by being the only paper catamaran to cross."

Dennis said the boat itself will be as "green as possible" with all materials sourced in the UK:

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"To reduce carbon footprint, the main structure is completely recycled paper, collected by hand, on foot, it is hand built using no other energy source, even the waterproofing is made from old audio records and the journey itself will be propelled using wind energy - and if there isn't any of that on the day Matt has a little rowing experience!"

He added:"The boat is a statement of what can be achieved through ecological methods, it will not be dissimilar to any other regular catamaran other than its production methods and materials, yet it will be as strong, as durable and as fast (if not faster). This will show ecology to be a step forward and, more importantly, in the right direction."

A "green" campaigner for many years, Dennis is keen to use the project to spread knowledge and understanding of climate change:

"One of the principal factors that hinder us from fully appreciating our interdependence is our undue emphasis on material development, we have become so engrossed in its pursuit that, unknowingly, we seem to have neglected the most basic qualities of compassion, caring and co-operation to assist our selves and act on co2. The Goal of the campaign isto catch the public interest and get people thinking about their affect on the planet."

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Matt said the general public are becoming more and more aware of climate change adding: " This is the time to make a statement and PaperSail, I believe, is it."

Dennis and Matt's plans have already attracted the attention of Bexhill MP Greg Barker, who is Shadow Climate Change Minister.

Greg said:"This is another terrific local project with an important wider purpose. Matt and his rowing colleagues put the town on the map last year with their record breaking voyage across the Indian Ocean. This is a very different challenge, but no less innovative, and one that I hope will capture the imagination and support of our local community.

"I wish them well and will be watching their progress closely, and hope to wave to them from the House of Commons later in the year."

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As with the Row4Charity campaign Mattand Dennis are hoping that 2010 will be another charity fundraising triumph, this time raising funds for the Conquest and Great Ormond Street hospitals.

Matt said: "The effect we have on the planet today will shape the lives of our children in the future, and so it seemed only right to support two causes which involve the well-being of children. Once again support is needed, PaperSail is offering businesses the opportunity of web, boat, and team sponsorship as with the ocean row.

"This project has a much bigger potential than the Ocean Row and I believe poses much better value for money for our sponsors."

For more information visit the website at: www.PaperSail.co.uk, email [email protected] or call 07525931342.

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