The finish line is in sight for the man who has spent over two years rowing around the world – without leaving Basingstoke.
By Monday, Dave Holby from Kempshott had less than 190km to go in his epic 40,075km challenge to row the globe on a exercise machine at The Malls in the town centre.
Doughty Dave plans to wind up his marathon effort with one last pull at 12.30pm on Saturday – earning him a place in the record books as the first person to row around the world on a static machine.
He told the Basingstoke Observer: “It still has not quite sunk in that it is going to be ending soon. When it does, it is going to be an absolute heartbreak – wonderful physically but emotionally very difficult.”
The part-time actor started his odyssey on May 20 in 2008 to raise funds for Breakthrough Breast Cancer and scoop a world record on the way. To date, he has raised £15,700 for the charity, but hopes to hit £20,000 when he finishes.
The 29-year-old chose Breakthrough following the death of his grandmother when he was aged seven.
He said: “I lost a wonderful nan to breast cancer. She battled the disease for many years, but when she died it had such an affect on the family. After I lost a woman I loved, I did not want anyone else to experience the loss that I did.”
Rowing five days a week for the past two years, he said the highlights had been the support he has received along the way.
He said: “I could not have done it without the fantastic support I have received from everyone passing by, especially the kids who inspired me during every step of the way. What turned out as a solo effort has turned into a community challenge.”
Dave has been so moved by the support he has received from kids that he has changed his plans and now wants to train to become a teacher.
Today (Thursday) he will be taking a break from his rowing to go for an interview which could see him studying at Aldworth Science College in Western Way, Basingstoke.
He said: “When the rowing first started I was a working actor but the contact I have had with kids and being part of their lives has made me want to combine the two, so becoming a drama teacher seems like the natural solution.”
After finishing his epic journey, Dave will get rid of the rowing machine. He plans to ask if the Willis Museum in Top of Town would want it, otherwise he said he will sell it on eBay.
Now, after taking a hard earned break, Dave is planning to get back in training – to run the London Marathon in April for Breakthrough Breast Cancer.
And in a final tribute to the local people who supported him throughout his rowing marathon he said: “These two years have been incredible for me – Basingstoke is easily the best town in the UK.”
