Giffen Group Chairman to contest Fastnet Yacht Race for Cancer Research Charity

Giffen Group Chairman, Jo Giffen, recently announced his intention to compete in the 2009 Fastnet Yacht Race. The grueling 605 mile yacht race has been a regular fixture since 1925 and infamously made front page news in 1979 when storms wreaked havoc amongst the 306 competing yachts, leading to 15 fatalities and what was at the time, the largest peace time rescue operation. 

Jo faces an exacting training schedule and has already undergone his Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Competent Crew course and is due very shortly to take his RYA Day Skipper theory and Day Skipper practical courses. In addition to this Jo has a full schedule of demanding training events up until the event itself in August. 

Jo will be part of the Flying Fish ‘Team Fish,’ who are entering two boats in this year’s Race. When asked about his challenge Jo said; 

“2009 is the company’s Centenary and as part of our plans to mark this, we have adopted the Cancer Treatment and Research Trust (CTRT) Appeal, based at Mount Vernon Hospital, as our nominated charity. Throughout the year we will be raising funds through various initiatives and I wanted to lead from the front with a personal challenge and provide means to raise additional funds. I really hope that I can contribute a significant amount to this fantastic charity.” 

Anyone interested in supporting the CTRT via Jo’s challenge can do so by visiting his “Just Giving” page at – see www.justgiving.com/jogiffenfastnet

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