On 22 April, during Singapore’s maritime week, I will take part in a 140km endurance row around Singapore island in aid of the maritime charity, The Mission to Seafarers.

32 rowers from the maritime industry in Singapore will crew two 19th century Cornish pilot boats in the first ever circumnavigation of Singapore in rowing boats, through crocodile- and bunker barge-infested waters, all within 24hrs. Each boat is half a tonne, the blokes in them are probably not far off that. Their turning circle is that of a VLCC (the boats not the blokes).

The aim is to raise a staggering SGD750,000 (£375,000) for the Mission, and we are already 70% of the way there. The Mission is the world’s largest and oldest seafarers’ charity, caring for victims of piracy, providing a lifeline to crew stranded or distressed in foreign ports, and generally looking after the guys who transport 90% of the world’s goods in harsh and dangerous conditions. This will be the most anyone has ever raised for them in a single event.

The challenge has generated fantastic interest in the cause:

We have significant corporate buy-in from over 20 major companies in the maritime, shipping, P&I, and logistics sectors.

-          We’re endorsed by luminaries such as the charity’s patron Princess Anne (see letter from the Palace where she describes us as audacious?!) and president of Singapore, Tony Tan.

-          Yachting hero Pete Goss MBE, who launched the challenge for us in London last year, is travelling to Singapore to be our Guest of Honour.

-          We will carry the prestigious SG50 mark that honours Singapore’s golden jubilee this year (they don’t just give those away).

-          We’ve been on TV here in Singapore, and in the press, and are splashed across social media.

Here’s a quick clip on what we’re about: https://youtu.be/lVhBIF5xMvk

Whilst we’re a bunch of inexperienced fatties when it comes to rowing, the guys have been training hard in the boats and sacrificing for six months to make this difficult event work. We all have ragged hands, rowers' tan (don't ask), and the closest thing we will ever have to a six-pack! We’ve had to follow dietary advice (well, I haven’t really)! Most of our spouses are not talking to us anymore for all the weekend time it takes up! We have to wear spandex on the day (hence the dietary advice)! Please help the charity to make all this pain and suffering worth it!

To add a little spice my pledge to all donors is that, if you can better my 10,000m time on a Concept 2 rowing machine (39:25 – see photo) and send me a ‘selfie’ to prove it, I will match your donation. Get in the Fitness First and put me out of pocket, guys.

Finally, for those of you that live in facebookland, please do jump on the Mission RASI page for a browse around, admire the visual feast, and give us a ‘Like’: we have had donations from complete strangers because of this page, so any spreading of the word in this way is indeed most welcome. https://www.facebook.com/missionrasi 

Many thanks, wish us luck and thank you so much for your support!

Paul