Rowing to help young

By ALAN PERROTT

Seeing the plight of children in Bosnia and East Timor inspired two soldiers to do something for New Zealand children.

But Staff Sergeant Nicholas Barbara, 36, and Corporal Cathal Dickens, 31, will need to call on every day of their 35 years of combined military experience, including time in Bosnia and East Timor, to achieve their goal of rowing across the Tasman Sea.

They don't just want to get to other side, the pair are raising money for South Auckland's Kidz First neonatal intensive care unit.

As a pair of veteran footsloggers more used to long marches, said Mr Dickens, they were a little apprehensive about spending several weeks in a bobbing boat with no land in sight. He hoped their cause would put some extra oomph behind the oars.

The team has already recovered from a disappointing start when their boat was swamped by surf at Muriwai during the official launch in May.

They hope to start their 2600km journey from Sydney Harbour on September 15 in Dream Weaver II.

Mr Barbara, a father of four, isn't sure how long the challenge will take, but they will have supplies for 80 days. The boat has a satellite phone and a global positioning system.

A website has been set up so people can watch their progress and a call to 0900 kidzfirst will give a $20 donation.

Row4kidz