From office to ocean: Financial planner swaps spreadsheets for storms in charity challenge
Local Financial Planner, Martin Dodd is preparing to embark on the challenge of a lifetime this November as he sets sail from South Africa to Australia to raise funds for local charity, Promise Dreams.
As part of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, Martin – who is a Chartered Financial Planner at Tettenhall-based Midlands Investment Agency – will be joining a fleet of ten 70-foot racing yachts, each crewed by 16 people.
He has joined his crew aboard Washington DC which, aside from a Skipper and First Mate, is made up entirely of amateur sailors.
The Cape Town to Fremantle leg will take around three and a half weeks to complete, covering 5,500 miles across the Southern Ocean – one of the most remote stretches of water on the planet.
He explained: “Around half way through the journey, the nearest human beings to us will actually be on the International Space Station! It’s a huge challenge, but a once-in-a-lifetime adventure for such an incredible cause.”
He hopes to raise £2,500 for Wolverhampton-based Promise Dreams, which provides vital support to seriously or terminally ill children and their families.
Together with his wife Sally Lawson, who owns letting agency training provider, Agent Rainmaker, the couple has raised in excess of £300,000 through their live events and fundraising initiatives – making a lasting impact on many families facing hardship across the region.
“We’ve seen first-hand the difference Promise Dreams makes,” Martin added. “Every penny raised goes towards creating special moments and support for children who need it most. It’s a cause that’s very close to our hearts, and I want to thank everyone who has helped me raise £1,200 so far.”
Supporters can follow Martin’s progress across the ocean via the official Clipper Race tracker, and can donate to his Promise Dreams fundraising page: justgiving.com/page/martin-dodd-1?utm_medium=FA&utm_source=CL.
