Accountants Duncan & Toplis sponsor two boys' attempt at World Rowing Record

Two friends are aiming to become the youngest pair ever to row across the Atlantic Ocean later this year.

Leading chartered accountants and business advisers Duncan and Toplis will be sponsoring the boys as they try to raise £100,000 for Breast Cancer Care.

The challenge will begin on 2nd December in the Canary Islands and will finish seven weeks later in Antigua. Their boat will be just big enough to fit Luke and Jamie, their food and a small cabin for them to take shelter and rest in when needed.

Competitors will row non-stop in two-hour shifts for around 50 days, crossing 3,000 nautical miles and burning 10,000 calories a day each. More people are said to have been into space than have rowed across the Atlantic, a feat first achieved by Chay Blyth in 1966. Twenty teams are currently entered into the race but it is unlikely that they will all make it to the start. Twelve of the teams are British.

"We've been rowing and training together and we're both experienced sailors; we're 100% confident we'll finish the race", said Luke, whose parents own Doddington Hall.

"It's definitely going to be tough", said Jamie. "After twenty-four hours we won't see another boat but we've got GPS navigation systems and we'll be in daily radio contact with the mainland. We'll be crossing three shipping lanes and one of our major fears is being hit by a big tanker, but we're prepared for anything".

Luke and Jamie launched 2 Boys in a Boat recently at Doddington Hall, and they're still seeking sponsors to help to pay for the equipment and contribute towards the large sum they're hoping to raise.

Andy Severn, Partner at Duncan & Toplis, said the firm is delighted to sponsor Luke and Jamie. "It's a great adventure and it's great to be able to support the boys in their rowing feat across the Atlantic,” he said. "Duncan & Toplis has a long association with Doddington Hall and so we had no hesitation in offering our backing. We're delighted to see our logo on the side of the boat and we just hope it will stay the right way up!"

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