Long row home world-record attempt to set off on Saturday 1 June

The couple aim to be the first mixed pairs team to circumnavigate Great Britain by rowing boat, during which they will be raising funds for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA).

To achieve the record, Allan and Mhairi must undertake the challenge unassisted, so will not touch land or accept provisions from the moment they depart Wick until they return again.

After months of careful preparation and training, the anticipation is mounting. Mhairi Ross, a paramedic with the Scottish Ambulance Service and volunteer navigator with the RNLI, said: “Our 7-metre rowing vessel, Boudicea, is now packed with essential supplies, including dehydrated food, our desalination unit, safety equipment and navigational aids. We are all set and keen to get under way.”

Coxswain of the Wick lifeboat, Allan Lipp, said: “Our basic passage plan is now plotted on the chart and it’s all looking very real. This will be adjusted according to weather and tide when we are on our way. We very much appreciate the support of Tom Cunliffe and his colleagues at AngelNav for providing the iPad and electronic charts that will take us around the coastline”

The team have set a fundraising target of £30,000 which will be split between two charities, the RNLI and SCAA. The total already stands at over £7,000, for which the couple are very grateful. They are also very grateful to their sponsors Boralex, Beatrice Offshore Windfarm, Zensar Technologies, Rannoch Adventure, Big Bobble Hats, Upnorth Biltong, Donald S McGregor & Partners Ltd, Pentland Ferries, GA Barnie, Shaw, Ocean Kinetics, Newfield Communications, The Country Spa, Chester Henry Ltd, Angel Nav, The Pat Munro Foundation, Securescot, Lewis Ross Joinery, Rembrand Timber, Mackays Hotel, Wick Harbour Authority

Follow Allan and Mhairi’s journey via social media, listen to their podcast, and follow their route via a tracker on their website www.thelongrowhome.co.uk

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089480973284
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stormyandsteth/

Donate via https://justgiving.com/team/stormyandsteth

For further information, please contact [email protected]

Attached are pictures of The Long Row Home team, Allan Lipp and Mhairi Ross and their boat, Boudicea.

Photos The Long Row Home / Kirstie Clubb

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.