Prison officer to take on rowing race
A prison officer from Staffordshire is preparing to leave dry land behind and take on the world's toughest rowing race.
A prison officer from Staffordshire is preparing to leave dry land behind and take on the world's toughest rowing race.
Ben Steadman, an officer at Swinfen Hall Young Offenders Institution, will embark on a gruelling 3,100 nautical mile journey from Australia to Mauritius when he takes part in the 2009 Indian Ocean Rowing Race in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.
Mr Steadman, aged 32, from Lichfield, is taking part with fellow Midlands prison officer Mark Davis, aged 33, who is based at HM Prison Blakenhurst in Redditch.
The team recently launched their boat – called Doing Time – at Weymouth Harbour in Dorset. The crossing could take anything from 50 to 90 days, and unstable weather systems, sharks, intense heat and 40 foot waves are just a few of the challenges the plucky pair could face during the dangerous race – the first ever across the Indian Ocean.
Despite the challenges both Mark and Ben, who met when they worked together at Onley Prison in Rugby, say they are determined not only to win the race but to raise as much money as possible for their chosen charity.
Mr Steadman said: "We are probably the most powerful crew, Mark's 18 stone and I'm 16.5.
"I think with the job we both do we're in a good position, even though our sailing experience is fairly minimal." The race is not due to take place until April next year, but Mr Steadman said it had already taken years of planning to get to this point.
"It's been about two years in the planning," he said, "With raising the money and getting everything organised its been quite a long haul really.
"The physical side of things is about to kick off now.
"But all our family and friends have been really supportive, and work have been really good about it and given us some time off."
The pair have also attracted sponsorship from Birmingham-based housing developer Lovells who provided the team with the money to buy their vessel.
To sponsor Mark and Ben or to find out more about their challenge, visit their website at www.bigboysrow.com