Page 35 - link magazine

@ WWW.SWfldOflhflk.COr The Link Magazine • September 2006 35
Atlantic rower puts energy into
promoting Active Swindon
* All cars welcome
October marks the fifth anniversary of an epic journey across the * cam belt replacement
Atlantic in a rowing boat called the Spirit of Swindon by Norman * engine & gearbox repairs & rebuilds 1 ^.
Butler from Westlea, below.
* electrical fault code reading ?' `t
Over the previous !► ' els and seeing how
y
three ears he had they can make a * MOT repairs * vehicle sales . s
dreamt of rowing an change in their life- * servicing to light commercials
ocean, raised £65,000 to styles. * Be prepared for summer
fund the adventure, In the 1990s I was a - have your air conditioning checked and serviced
and had built his own not very fit bloke who
boat from a kit. couldn't run to the bot- Call for friendly advice, reliable service & quotes. All major credit & debit cards.
He set off on 8 Octo- tom of the garden, let OPTIMA MOTORS 39A Station Road.
ber, just five weeks af- alone set off on an Wootton Bassett
ter his baby daughter ocean crossing. (Opposite St Ivel)
Melissa was born, from "My dream only Tel: (01793) 840667
La Gomera in the Ca- started in 1997 after
naries where he had reading about rowing
teamed up with Phil Active Swindon across the Atlantic and ^1
Scantlebury. volunteer I rsued a oal with
g
pu
The journey took 82 support from Linda, Ddars - -® 13®13
gruelling days and at 23 feet long even though she was expecting a • GARAGE DOORS FROM £400 FITTED
and six feet wide, the Spirit was a baby. High security multi point locking system
tiny spot on the ocean, completely "Through Active Swindon I Impact resistant
• Wide range of attractive styles
unsupported, with just a satellite want to help others pursue per-
10 year colourfast guarantee NO
phone and a radio beacon for emer- sonal goals. You don't have to row • Deal direct with the installer MORE
gencies. The first part of the trip the Atlantic; it's the small changes Over 18 years experience PAINTING. „f
was calm but by December the sea you make which make all the dif- • Very competitive prices I r % r^
was very rough, the two rowers ference to your life." AWNINGS
were running short of from £500 fitted
food, under great men- The spirit lives on • Transform your
tal and physical strain, patio into one of the To arrange your free survey
most beautiful rooms c
and were nearly smash- in the house • telephone Rob on 01793 330938
ed to pieces by a tanker. • Choice of colours
Mobile 07921 959345 YELLOW
Over the last five and size - PAGES
10 Sutton Road. Swindon
years Norman s wife
Linda has returned to
nursing, Melissa has
started school and Nor-
mart now works for BP.
He has given dozens of
illustrated talks about
the motivation it takes
to pursue a dream to
schools, blue chip com-
panies, charities and
youth training organi-
sations.
Norman has also
helped friends and col-
leagues plan their own
adventures and joined
the Territorial Army The Spirit of Swindon - the kit boat built by
where he is seen as a Norman - is a testament to his motivation and
father figure in his commitment. After his Atlantic journey he sold it
to pay off some of his costs. The boat made a
squad. second crossing in 2003 and he recently had a
Recently he has joined report that it had carried a third crew across the
the Active Swindon ocean. He said, °I was really proud to hear the
project. He said,"I'mre- crew say that it is a great boat and she had
ally committed to get- performed brilliantly when others were capsiz-
ting more people in the ing or falling apart."
town involved in look- Norman is pictured on the high seas holding
ing at their activity lev- the flag of Swindon's twin town Salzgitter.

Active Swindon 2006
Wednesday 6 September, 6pm: Free to enter fun-runs at Roves
Farm. near Sevenhamption. Choose 1 .6km, 2.3km or 4km.
Wednesday 13 September: Swindon Council's annual Get Active
Day - do something energetic by yourself, in a group, at work or at a
council leisure centre.
Details can be found at: www.swindon.gov.uk/active
Or call Martin Dunscombe on 708776. Mail: martin.dunscombe@
swindon-pot.nhs.uk