MP meets young world record breaker from Sussex

Arundel & South Downs MP Nick Herbert met with 22 year old Tommy Tippetts on Friday (4 May) after the Kirdford youngster was officially confirmed by Guinness World Records as the youngest male to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

Tommy set sail from San Sebastian in La Gomera, Canary Islands on 21 January this year and arrived in Barbados, West Indies 82 days later on 12 April after rowing over 3,000 miles.

Tommy undertook his record breaking adventure to raise money for the mental health charity, Mind, and has so far managed to raise almost £10,000 for the charity.

Tommy kept family and friends up to date on the challenges he faced during his row by keeping an online daily blog using a satellite phone. 

Following his safe return to the UK, Tommy commented: "I was pleased to meet Nick Herbert, and honoured that he knew so much about my row and took such an interest in the whole expedition.  I hope this meeting will help to promote my achievement and increase support for the mental health charity Mind".

Nick Herbert commented "I was delighted to meet with Tommy and hear all about his record breaking journey across the Atlantic.

"It is an incredible achievement and one which has also raised a fantastic sum for Mind.  It's still possible to donate to the cause in recognition of his feat.

"I learned one extraordinary thing from Tommy: he suffers from sea sickness!  Yet he overcame this to row the Atlantic - an amazing feat.  It was an inspiring story and made me reflect on how, with real determination, people can succeed despite adversity."

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For further information please contact Gary Markwell on 07742 666 740.

Notes for Editors

1.      For more information about Tommy's adventure, visit his website: http://www.soloatlanticrow2011.co.uk/