A retired Military main has braved the winter chilly to finish a charity problem in his handmade Tintanic boat.
Michael Stanley, referred to as “Main Mick”, has rowed greater than 125 miles and picked up almost £12,000 throughout his eight-month fundraiser for charity Kids on the Edge which helps youngsters from war-torn Ukraine.
The 82-year-old, who served 35 years within the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, accomplished the problem carrying a Union Jack go well with and towing a Father Christmas in a ‘Mini Tintanic’ tender.
Mr Stanley beforehand accomplished 100 miles rowing at 2mph twice every week alongside the Chichester Canal in December 2020 in his earlier model of the boat manufactured from corrugated iron.
He offered that boat for charity and constructed an improved model, the Tintanic II, which he has sailed at areas throughout the area together with crossing the Solent from Hurst Fort, Hampshire to Colwell Bay on the Isle of Wight in July.
For this problem he has rowed on the Beaulieu, Arun, Medina and Hamble rivers. Beforehand he has taken the Tintanic for rows as distant as Scotland.
Throughout his fundraising this 12 months, he has additionally met King Charles on the Massive Jubilee Lunch in addition to former prime minister Boris Johnson after being invited to Downing Road.
Mr Stanley, from Chichester, West Sussex, instructed the PA information company: “It’s been fantastic enjoyable, it’s been rather more than simply about elevating cash, it’s been about assembly folks and speaking to folks.
“It’s the form of factor that solely mad previous Englishmen would do.
“It’s all gone to plan, the boat is wanting a little bit of TLC and it leaks a bit now so I might want to put it within the backyard and fill it up with a hose to see the place the leak is.
“I shall be again subsequent 12 months, it’s turn out to be a little bit of a illness for me, I must consider some good locations to go to subsequent 12 months.”
He added: “My goal was to do 100 miles and I’ve achieved 125, my goal was £5,000 and I’m simply in need of £12,000 so I’m fairly glad I’ve achieved the space and over the three years I’ve raised £75,000.
“I’ve crossed the Solent, met Prince Charles, or King Charles as he’s now, and I met the prime minister.”
Mr Stanley accomplished his problem by rowing from Itchenor to Chichester Yacht Membership at Birdham.
When requested if the chilly put him off, he mentioned: “Good heavens no, I’m pleased in all weathers, I’ve an umbrella so I’m pleased within the rain and I’m pleased within the chilly.
“Don’t let the buggers get you down, that’s what I say.”
