Fireman rows for charity

5:34pm Friday 5th September 2008

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A FIREMAN is preparing for a life-changing 3,000-mile charity row across the Atlantic Ocean by staging a 36-hour sponsored row.

Aldo Diana, a watch manager at Southall Fire Station, has taken on the monumental challenge of propelling himself between the Canary Islands and Antigua, to raise money for the The Restoration of Appearance and Function Trust (RAFT), which helps people who have severe burns.

However, just to get a functioning boat into the water, former Marine Aldo and his rowing partner have to raise £40,000.

He said: “I’ve spent around £20,000 already, and I need another £20,000 more just to make it viable. People have been really generous, but it would be great to get the backing of a generous sponsor.”

As part of his fundraising drive, Aldo and colleague Ken Maynard are doing a 36-hour sponsored row, which started at 10am today and finishes at 10pm tomorrow.

He said: “We chose to do it in Chelsea because there are a lot of generous people here, but there will be more of these events to raise money.

“I think it will be interesting this evening when the guys who have a had a bit to drink are coming by. Hopefully they will put their hands in their pockets for a good cause.”