Graham Walters: Briton to become oldest man to row solo across Atlantic - at 72
Graham Walters will dock in Antigua on Wednesday - and will leave the boat he used to break the record in a museum there.
Wednesday 29 April 2020 13:43, UK
A British man is set to become the oldest person to have rowed solo across the Atlantic, in a boat he built in his back garden.
Graham Walters, 72, from Leicestershire, will break the existing record held by 66-year-old Gerard Marie of France when he arrives in Antigua on Wednesday.
He set off on his 3,000 mile journey from Gran Canaria on 25 January, with his voyage taking 94 days.
Mr Walters has used the epic trip to raise money for Help for Heroes - a charity which looks after injured war veterans.
His boat, The George Greary - which he first used in 1997 - was built in his front garden 22 years ago and is named after his grandfather - a cricketer for Leicestershire and England, who played in several Ashes tests.
It will be the fifth time Mr Walters has sailed across the Atlantic Ocean - and his third time doing it solo - with this being the final time he will use The George Greary - which is set to stay in a museum in Antigua.
The pensioner has taken plenty of supplies on board, including sleeping equipment, solar panels and a big stash of chocolate and energy bars.
His wife, Jean, said her husband's crossing will be a "massive personal achievement".
She said: "He had a rocky start, with the lights going, a leak in one of the compartments and the boat bucking like a bronco.
"Graham has always been an adventurer, so he's had it in his mind for a while now to do one 'final journey'.
"To complete the challenge and take the record will be a massive personal achievement for him."
Mr Walter's decided to raise money for Help for Heroes after seeing wounded veterans in other Atlantic crossing races.
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David Martin, head of supporter fundraising at Help for Heroes, said: "Few of us would attempt such a challenge in the first flush of youth - let alone in our seventies.
"Graham is clearly a remarkable and determined man.
"We are very grateful that he has chosen to donate the money he raises to Help for Heroes; injuries have ended 40,000 military careers in 20 years and every day this number grows, so his donations will help us ensure that we can be there to support them, whenever they need us."
Help for Heroes and Mr Walters have urged people to donate to the cause via www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Georgegearyrow.