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Links below are to our Partners who have already agreed to support us ....Please Join them and get your name on the boat.
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You can support Pancreatic Cancer UK in any way you can think of. Every penny really does count and your support will make a difference and save lives.
Why ?
For my Mum and Friends We Have Lost
In 2012, my Mum Christine Hammond bought me, for my birthday, a wreck of
a powerboat in need of restoration.
The boat, built in 1979, is known as a Hammond V-1975 Seville and was in a very
poor state of repair.
After 4 years of restoration, the boat is now looking as good as new and the decision has been made to name the vessel in some way after Mum.
The intention was for my mother to officially name the boat but sadly she never managed to see the finished project nor attend the naming ceremony as she died from Pancreatic Cancer.
In memory of my mother's boating interests and my appreciation for the work done by Pancreatic Cancer U.K., I have decided to undertake a challenging voyage from Rochester to Southampton.
It is a distance of 210 miles and is timed to coincide with the 2020 Southampton Boat Show.
On arrival at Southampton, the intention is to engage a known celebrity to name the
boat as Mum did not manage her death bed recording naming the boat.
During the voyage, I shall be accompanied by two fellow musicians and we intend to
perform live staged “gigs” at venues in Dover, Brighton and finally Southampton.
At these events we hope to raise money for the P.C.U.K., create public awareness for the cause and to credit our sponsors.
We also hope to invoke donations through Facebook and via as many other organisations as possible.
On arrival at the Southampton Boat Show, our sponsors will benefit from much media coverage which will be made available by the local radio, T.V. and press.
Hence, I am requesting your sponsorship, to support Pancreatic Cancer UK
I thank you and very much hope that you will wish to support this event and come aboard to join us.
She’s a Small Boat With A Big Challenge
Please support us with Your Company Name on the boat.
Power Boat Challenge - Rochester to Southampton 210 miles
The Story
Text in Blue will link to your web site
Rochester to Dover. 60 miles.
The first Leg.
Protected from the winds along the industrial coastline of the River Medway and River Thames we set course on our Garmin DV55 chart plotter, a blast from the Yamaha engine along the Thames estuary then into the North Sea and around the Margate foreland into the straights of Dover. The south westerly winds build up 2m swells in the busiest shipping lane in the world, we decide to wear our Hammond Dry Suits to protect us from the driving wind and rain, scanning the horizon with our Seago binoculars we set course and dock at Dover. The shore side support crew, driving the Land Rover and Remdale vehicle bring musical instruments and refuel the boat. Joined by BBC Radio Kent and PCUK fund raisers for we prepare for the first performance.
In Cullins Yard, we order a beer, have some food and the stage is set.
Dover to Brighton. 80 miles.
It’s going to be rough.
The south westerly winds build, rolling 2m swells. The White Cliffs of Dover to our starboard side. A grueling challenge that could reduce our speed to 20mph. We head out to sea to avoid the firing range at Dymchurch and in the morning fog our NASA AIS Radar protects us from unseen marine traffic and the large P&O Ferries crossing to Calais. In the rough seas at Beachy head, we hold on tight and hope that the Pains Wessex Flares will not need to be deployed. Brighton Marina sees our 2nd port of refuge and our 2nd gig.
Brighton to Southampton. 70 miles. The last Leg.
We’re tired, our legs wobble like jelly, the constant pounding of the waves, our eyes squint into the sea spray, the thoughts of why we are doing this. My thoughts are with Mum and those that should not need to suffer. We turn into Southampton Water and on towards the Southampton Boat Show. We dock at the pontoon to a crowd of media, PCUK fund raisers, TV and press. Bollinger Sprays the Bow as the SeaPam is officially named in honour of my Mum, Christine Pamela Hammond.
www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk
For more information and find out how to help please contact us by completing the form below.
Meet the Crew, The Musicians and the Team
Boat Crew
Keith Hammond
Crew & Musician / Bass
Davey Malone
Crew & Musician - Vocals / Guitar
Rob Guthrie
Crew & Musician / Drums
Shore Support Team
Rob Shepherd
Shore Side Support & Musician
Banjo - Mandolin
Mel 'B' Williams
Shore Side Support / Driver - Logistics - Accommodation Coordinator - PA & Everything Else
Alison Shepherd
Shore Side Support
Rob Shepherd Support
Mel 'B' Williams Support