Drake to Blake
Ross and Glenn fundraising for St. Wilfred’s Hospice Chichester
PRESS RELEASE
Friends in Their Late 70s Take on Epic ‘Drake to Blake’ Challenge for St Wilfrid’s Hospice
Two well-known Felpham friends, both in their late 70s, are preparing to embark on an
extraordinary fundraising adventure this July, combining rowing and walking in a unique
‘Drake to Blake’ challenge to raise money for St Wilfrid’s Hospice.
On 15 July, Ross Fisher will row his 60-year-old 12ft fishing boat from Plymouth to Felpham,
while Glenn Powell will walk the equivalent 221-mile (356km) ‘dry route’ across Dartmoor
and along the South Coast. Both hope to complete their journeys in around two weeks,
depending on the weather for Ross and the legs for Glenn.
For most people, completing either journey would be a major achievement. Ross and Glenn,
both in their late 70s, will be tackling them simultaneously—Ross by sea and Glenn on
foot—in the hope of raising as much money as possible for St Wilfrid’s Hospice.
The title ‘Drake to Blake’ was thought up by Ross while on holiday in Salcombe with his wife
Alison. It was inspired by the legacy of Sir Francis Drake and William Blake, whose cottage in
Felpham is where he wrote Jerusalem and Tyger Tyger, burning bright.
Ross is a well-known local fisherman, President of Felpham Sailing Club and a former
Commodore. He has previously rowed around the Isle of Wight and, last year, from Westminster to Felpham.
Glenn, also a former Commodore of Felpham Sailing Club, is a former Vice Chair of the
Felpham Village Conservation Society and an experienced long-distance walker. He has
completed the South Downs Way, the Camino Francés across northern Spain and the Lycian
Way in Turkey.
Both Ross and Glenn are members of the Felpham Village Conservation Society’s ‘Heavy
Gang’, the volunteer team that has helped with many community projects, including the
restoration of Blake’s Cottage.
The challenge is raising funds for St Wilfrid’s Hospice, which cared for Glenn’s late wife,
Mary, and has supported many local families over the years.
Ross said: “We wanted to do something that would be a real challenge while raising as much
money as possible for such a wonderful local charity.”
Glenn added: “St Wilfrid’s Hospice has meant so much to our family and to so many others.
We hope people will enjoy following our journey and, if they can, support us with a
donation.
https://www.justgiving.com/page/drake-to-blake