Dad to row 17km in memory of daughter

A novice rower from Peterborough is taking on the gruelling challenge of rowing 17km at Peterborough Rowing Lake in aid of a cause close to his heart.
Barry McCann EMN-160518-103221001Barry McCann EMN-160518-103221001
Barry McCann EMN-160518-103221001

Barry McCann, 48, from Netherton, has organised the ‘oar-some’ event to help raise funds for the Peterborough and Stamford Sands Support Group, which personally helped to support Barry and his wife, Sally during a harrowing time.

Barry and Sally’s daughter, Angelina was stillborn on February 14, 2011 and the support of the stillbirth charity Sands helped them feel brave enough to try again.

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“After such a devastating loss, sometimes the only people who can understand how you feel are those who have shared that experience and feel able to offer support to others,” said Barry. “Sands really helped to make us feel brave enough to try again. We now have a beautiful daughter, but Angelina will always remain in our hearts.”

On June 15, at 5.17pm, Barry will take to the water to complete a 17km row in memory of Angelina and 16 other babies who were stillborn that same day.

“On the day we lost Angelina we were one of 17 other couples who shared our devastating loss,” said Barry. “The plan is to row a length of Peterborough rowing lake for every child lost that day.”

To put that effort in to perspective, the Olympic race distance is 2km, the Oxford Vs Cambridge Boat race is just under 7km and rowing across the Bristol Channel from Cardiff to Weston-Super-Mare would be 14km.

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“It’s going to be a big effort and I am fairly new to rowing,” said Barry. “My wife bought me a learn-to-row course at Peterborough City Rowing Club last year and I loved it. With the help of the fantastic coaches there, I have improved a lot, but 17km is still a long way for me.”

Barry hopes to raise a total of £1,017, and has so far almost reached halfway thanks to a number of generous sponsors.

If you would like to sponsor Barry please visit his JustGiving page.

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