A COASTGUARD from Co Down is to lead a team of rowers on a 'shore to shore' challenge from the Isle of Man to his hometown in Annalong to raise money for charity.
James McKnight first made the journey from the Co Down coast to Isle of Man four years ago, after building his own boat to undertake the 50 mile journey with a group of friends.
However given the anti-climax of arriving alone on the island and facing the daunting journey back home, this time James and his team have decided to make Annalong their new destination, complete with their very own homecoming party.
Money raised will be going towards Cancer Research UK and New Beginnings, a charity that builds homes for the unprivileged in Uganda but has its roots in Northern Ireland.
“New Beginnings is very close to my heart as one of my cousins was one of the founding members and I know that one hundred per cent of the money raised goes out there,” he said.
“A lot of local people are going out there back and forth and I’ve seen the good that this money can do.”
James hopes to set sail from the Isle of Man on Friday with a team of 12-15 rowers. They will be helped along the way by a few support boats supplied by local fishermen and expect to make the gruelling journey in around 16 hours.
Donations to the Shore to Shore Row 2016 can be made at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Leona-Burns1?utm%20id=13
