The Support Crew

Our support crew of cloned Qins

Doing this simply would not be possible without the help and support of so many. Selected highlights from the cast of thousands (well maybe 6) who have and will help us below - if we have missed you out and you are feeling aggrieved then let us know and you never know, you might get lucky...

Kath:
Support car, masseuse and general legend 2 years ago when Si & Will Christie rowed the Thames, Kath is back for more of the action this time around.

A fairly thankless task that involves driving down random lanes trying to find locks in the rain and then running down the Thames to find out if we have got lost, Kath did it with an enthusiasm that makes a Labrador puppy look positively lethargic.

Thinking about it, it might be something to do with the fact that she gets to massage not just 2 men this time but 4 (3 of whom aren’t her husband) but I am sure that is just tabloid tittle tattle...

Massive thanks to Kath – you are a legend

Mr and Mrs Wiseman:

"I said no swim bands - no swim"

Mike and Christine have again come to the rescue and helping to support us on our challenge. The only fear we have is whether Mike is going to achieve his life long ambition and swim the Thames because his "mile out, mile across" has become too easy over the years...

Hattie:
No stranger to a challenge herself (marathon #3 was completed in record time in April) Hattie has been an enthusiastic supported of the MeRANder from the outset. She gallantly volunteered to "help out in any way she could" and was duly appointed to the coxing crew. I think she was secretly hoping for the aftershow party organisation role, but we couldn't deprive her of one of the "top jobs" now could we?!

Having never rowed or coxed before, Hattie's reaction upon seeing the skiff for the first time was "Well that doesn't look very comfortable, does it?". Nothing wrong with her eyesight then - which should help when negotiating some of the trickier bends on day 2.

Hattie's sense of humour and inimitable laugh will no doubt raise the spirits of the men in the boat. I just hope the residents of Oxforshire and Berkshire are ready for her...!

Vix:
Vix has put her Hollywood acting career on hold for a few days to come and support the lads by coxing on the middle stretch. With previous rowing knowledge at Cambridge she will be a seasoned pro....kinda.

There will never be a dull moment with Vixs' "external" internal monologue and stunning looks which are sure to keep the chaps entertained throughout her time on board.

Peach, Tim and Hetty:


So popular is the Charity event of the decade (well maybe - who has heard of Live8 anyway?) that we have a bit of a surfeit of coxing talent to chose from over the weekend. And Peach, Tim & Hetty have all kindly thrown their hat into the ring for the opportunity to cox us to new heights of glory.

I don't think anyone has told them (1) How uncomfortable it is and (2) How boring it is (Pete Hunt actually fell asleep whilst coxing Will & Si last time round...) but so long as these are just our little secrets then truth needn't get in the way and we might be able to convince them that "It will be really good fun". Or we'll just tell Tim that it is a competition and offer to time him - that should do the trick.

Hang on - if it is a competition, i want a go. Must win, must win...

Dom:
A veteran of the 2006 Row the Thames attempt, Dom brings some much needed respectability to the challenge. Or at least he will do so long as he doesn't wear one of these ridiculous beaters.

Dom will cox us on the final leg - navigating the delights of Staines, Sunbury and 'Nam (that's Twick-nam in case you were wondering).

On the basis of that, it might be worth bringing the guns with you in fact big lad - the more artillery the better - its a jungle out there...

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