A Plan supporter has been forced to abandon an extraordinary record attempt, after his boat capsized in the North Atlantic.
_training_with_the_crew_pre-departure.jpg "Aodhan Kelly (front) training with the crew pre-departure")
Aodhán Kelly was part of a six-man crew, aiming to be the first to row across the Atlantic in less than 30 days.
The 26-year-old was raising money for Plan UK, to help some of the world’s poorest girls complete their education.
“Everyone at Plan is really sad to hear that the courageous sailors on board the Sara G were unable to complete their attempt to row across the Atlantic in less than 30 days," says Kevin Machin, Community Fundraising Manager at Plan UK.
“Aodhán Kelly, who is one of the six-man crew, is an avid rower and a great supporter of our work. We wish Aodhán and the team the very best. We are glad to hear he and the rest of the crew are safe.”
The crew were 27 days into their journey from Morocco to Barbados when the boat overturned, 520 miles from their destination.
They were picked up by a cargo ship after more than 14 hours in a rescue raft and are due to arrive in Gibraltar on February 9.
Before he departed, Aodhán told us about his fears for the trip. “I have had my ups and downs with nerves and anxiety about this. We need to be prepared for the worst case scenarios, but there is no point dwelling on them,” explained Aidan
“I have heard lots of stories about wild sea life attacking rowing crews and one crew having a spear shaped snout of a giant marlin stuck in the side of their boat – and plenty of tales about vessels capsizing.
“My mam and dad are quite nervous but they are not surprised about me taking this on,” he added.
“Aodhán used to row for the Irish national team and had been preparing for the trip for a long time – training daily at his local club in Reading,” says Kevin Machin. “He fell in love with rowing at the age of 10 and is an incredibly determined and admirable sportsman.”