A house builder currently working in Mansfield has added ‘oarsome’ support to an epic charity challenge.

Taggart Homes, which is currently constructing Kings Wood on Skegby Lane, is backing fundraisers George Nelson and Russ Davis on their 3,500 nautical miles row across the Atlantic Ocean.

The Mansfield brothers-in-law, who featured in the News Journal earlier this year, aim to raise £250,000 for charities that help people with dementia.
Taggart has sponsored an oar — £1,500 — for the challenge, dubbed Oar Blimey.

George and Russell will be setting off from Sagres in Portugal on 1st December and expect to spend around 90 days at sea, rowing unsupported to the Caribbean island of Sint Maarten.

The two men have no experience of a rowing challenge and will make the remarkable journey in a Rannoch Adventure R20, which is just 6.5m long and 1.2m wide. They bought the boat second-hand and are refurbishing and modifying the boat themselves.

On the row they will work in a two-hour shift pattern, with one man rowing while the other rests and recovers..

Nick Taggart, director of Taggart Homes, said: “This is a tremendous task. We at Taggart Homes are delighted and proud to be involved with the challenge and to show our support for the local community.

“We wish both George and Russell the very best and will be following them on their journey.”

Money raised by Oar Blimey will be shared between between actress Vicky McClure’s Our Dementia Choir, and Ladybrook Enterprise’s Help at Hand charities in Mansfield, which will use proceeds to improve local dementia services.

Oar Blimey took on their second training exercise across the Irish Sea in July. They have recently been sharing news of their intrepid challenge to youngsters at Wynndale Primary School and Spectrum WASP, Mansfield.

Taggart Homes’ Kings Wood, Mansfield, is a development of 150 properties and the first plots on phase one are expected to be released later this month.

For more information on the company’s developments in Mansfield and Retford, go to www.taggarthomes.com or email [email protected]

To find out more about Oar Blimey or to help support the cause, visit https://oarblimey.co.uk or find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/oarblimey

Team Oar Blimey is holding a fundraising Bingo Bongo night at Portland College, on 9th August. The venue has been provided free, and all money raised will go to the charities.