 Matt Boreham is a 38 year old ex boat builder, who currently runs a small home improvements business. Born in '68, Matt had a serious accident, before he was 2 years old, when he was run over by a bus. The injuries sustained prohibited him from taking part in many sports and activities during his childhood, creating a determined attitude to persevere and attain the goals he sets himself.
Matt was taught to row by an ex merchant seaman, whilst on a sailing holiday on the Norfolk Broads as a child. He soon discovered rowing was a great way of getting from the bank to the boat (and there are some great boats in the West Indies). During 2002-2003, Matt was stroke for the UEA rowing team.
On the 20th January 2004, Matt Boreham took part in the Ocean Rowing Society's Ocean Rowing Regatta. Setting off from La Gomera in the Canaries, solo, 2man and 4 man boats raced to Barbados. A distance of approx 3000 miles. Matt raced in boat no.6 "The Alison May”, which was a 16ft solo entry, Matt had built himself.
The crossing took 83 days 18 hours and 27 minutes, and made Matt Boreham a Guinness Book of Records, record holder, for rowing the smallest rowing boat to be successfully rowed across any ocean.
Matt is now preparing for his tandem row with Alan Lock in aid of sense.
He lives in Ingworth, Norwich with his wife Alison and his 2 children, Georgina and A J. |
 Alan was born in Bristol, England and is the oldest of 4 children. Educated in Bristol, Alan went on to study Mechanical Engineering at Birmingham University. During school and University, he was sponsored by the Royal Air Force as an Aircrew Officer and undertook flying training alongside his studies. Upon graduation, Alan transferred to the Royal Navy as an Engineering Officer. He passed out of Britannia Royal Naval College in April 2003 and served on a frigate and a destroyer, before volunteering for the submarine service. He completed nuclear engineering training and submarine escape training before being assigned to a nuclear submarine. Unfortunately, weeks before his first patrol Alan suffered an injury which lead to his medical discharge from the Royal Navy.
Subsequently, Alan joined HSBC Investment Bank as an Analyst in late 2005. He now lives in East London.
Previous challenges have included a number of marathons, including the 151 mile Marathon Des Sables across the Sahara Desert. Alan is also a keen mountaineer and has climbed the highest mountains in both Europe and Africa. |
About sense
Sense is the leading national charity that supports and campaigns for children and adults who are deafblind. We provide expert advice and information as well as specialist services to deafblind people, their families, carers and the professionals who work with them. We also support people who have sensory impairments with additional disabilities.
Our services include on-going support for deafblind people and families. These range from day services where deafblind people have the opportunity to learn new skills and Sense-run houses in the community – where people are supported to live as independently as possible. We also provide leading specialist advice, for example on education options and assistive technology.
The expertise and experience of Sense in the UK is also used to assist its sister charity Sense International. Deafblind people in developing countries often face crippling poverty which adds to the immense challenges of sensory impairment. Sense International first started its work in India ten years ago and has now established programmes in nine countries – Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, India, Kenya, Peru, Romania, Tanzania and Uganda.
Learn more about Sense here. |
