# Rowers race the Atlantic for charity - Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2005/12/09/rowers-race-atlantic-charity/ - Published: 2005-12-09T00:00:00+00:00 - Author: Howard Lake Two Irish rowers have headed off on a 2800 miles race across the Atlantic which will also raise money for two charities. The Irish Cancer Society and Merchants Quay will benefit. The race began from La Gomera in the Canary Islands and will finish in the West Indies. The Digicel Group, a telecommunications company based in the Caribbean is sponsoring the Irish team. Gearoid Towey (27) and Ciaran Lewis (34) will take part in the 2,795- mile race across the Atlantic from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua in the Caribbean. ## Advertisement [⌊Posthub advert. You create the campaign. We'll handle the postal journey. Get started at post-hub.co.uk.⌉](https://fundraising.co.uk/ads/posthub-20261007-300x250/) Denis O’Brien, Chairman, Digicel Group, said he was delighted to become the lead sponsor of the Irish team. Mr O’Brien is also involved in a number of philanthropic projects including Special Olympics and human rights. Gearoid Towey and Ciaran Lewis deserve to be supported, especially because they have the twin objectives of winning the race and raising funds for the Irish Cancer Society and the Merchants Quay Project, Mr O’Brien said. The Irish men can be assured of a great welcome from the Digicel Group when they land in Antigua, he concluded. Merchants Quay Ireland is a voluntary organisation providing a wide range of services to people who are homeless and for drug users. The Irish Cancer Society is the national charity dedicated to preventing cancer, saving lives from cancer and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. * **[Partnership reaches a milestone](https://fundraising.co.uk/2005/12/09/partnership-reaches-milestone/)**( 9 December 2005) * **[Reconciliation fund calls for applications](https://fundraising.co.uk/2005/12/13/reconciliation-fund-calls-applications/)**( 13 December 2005) * **[Dormant accounts slowly waking up?](https://fundraising.co.uk/2005/12/14/dormant-accounts-slowly-waking/)**( 14 December 2005)