Helen's naked ambition
THERE aren't many gap-year students prepared to face 50-foot waves, sharks and cyclone force winds as they row naked in sweltering conditions across one of the world's mightiest oceans.
But there are not many people like Helen Taylor.
The Oxford graduate and Sudbury Rowing Club member is about to tackle one of the toughest endurance races on the planet.
Next April, Helen, 22, will be flying to Australia, joining a crew of seven international athletes and rowing 3,500 miles across the Indian Ocean to Mauritius.
Her goal is to raise more than 20,000 to finance the life-changing voyage and to raise vital funds for the Scope respite centre in Bury St Edmunds.
To put the challenge in perspective – more people have reached the summit of Everest than have rowed across the Indian Ocean – in fact more people have walked on the surface of the Moon. The former captain of the Oxford ladies crew is enduring a continual round of exhausting sessions on the rowing machine and is working to raise sponsorship and money for the respite centre that provides care for youngsters with cerebral palsy.
She said: "I wanted to do something different on my gap year, something that would really challenge me and make a difference to other people's lives and this just seemed perfect.
"It is daunting. Not only will it take between 50 to 90 days, but I'm preparing myself for the fact I might have to row naked with a mixed crew on the journey."
To avoid painful sores in the sweltering, salty conditions the crew could be forced to follow the lead of Olympic rower James Cracknell and TV's Ben Fogle, who stripped off during their Atlantic rowing challenge last year.
"I've been warned that the Indian Ocean has sharks and we could be hit with 50ft waves, but it wouldn't be worth it if it was easy," she added.
Helen, who lives in Great Barton, is hoping companies will step forward to help with the 15,000 needed to take part. From then on all money raised will go to Scope.
"I have volunteered to work at Scope throughout my studies as my mum works there. They do such a fantastic job for young people with cerebral palsy but are always in need of funds to keep the service going."
After finishing a chemistry degree this year Helen is planning to return to university next year to complete a masters in bio-mechanics.
n If you would like to support Helen call her on 07948 372993 or email on indianoceanrow@gmail.com
n For more information on Helen's Indian Ocean challenge go to www.in dianoceanrow.blogspot.com
jonathan.schofield@sudburytoday.co.uk
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Weather for Sudbury
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
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Temperature: -7 C to -1 C
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