About: I left the Dunbar Rowers for the month of February to go to Tasmania to do the TN17 Row Raid, a crazy long sea row. This was in aid of raising funds and awareness for Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre who also link to provide services here in East Lothian and operate the Scottish support line for survivors.
Why? Because I know the walk of too many who have needed the service and experienced the effects of rape and sexual violence alone unnecessarily. Rape crisis has been a life line when there is nowhere else to turn, a safe space and haven to many when relationships breakdown due to the sexual violence, it has saved many lives from the deep scars of trauma every day. The service is vital and waiting lists for support is increasing and the support line is run completely voluntarily and costs money.
Breaking the silence: This isn’t a topic people can openly talk about and it is uncomfortable for many. Rowing the Raid is a discussion point that helps to break silence. If you need support, or know someone else who
does and need support to help them, please contact the centre as they have information to help support families and partners too, there is no pressure and they understand.
I hope the rowing of the raid will inspire, encourage people to do what they think is impossible, and create some fun stories to share and raise awareness and financial support to keep the centres services running.
About the row: This was the longest row I have ever completed, in a traditional Scottish boat with a crew I hadn’t met before I went who changed from day to day, a group of adventurers exploring the historical sea route going back to the early days of Tasmania’s foundation. The journey will covered over 200k on our tracker wild camping on islands as we rowed, Our major stop off 11 days in being the Hobart wooden boat festival. This journey was all made possible thanks to the Living Boat Trust in Tasmania.
How to donate? If you can still donate online anonymously at:
www.mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/rowraidforrapecrisis
All funds go straight to the work of Rape Crisis, the trip and event is entirely self funded.
If you need support:
Edinburgh’s Rape Crisis Centre official website. Rape Crisis Scotland helpline 6-12pm every evening: 08088 01 03 02 
A Massive Thank You 🙂
Thank you for all donations so far, especially the large contribution from those at the Dunbar Parish Church and the Dunbar Coastal Rowing Club. My target was to reach £2000 and currently donations to Edinburgh’s Rape Crisis Centre are over £3000! Please keep donating for this incredible cause. All those interested can like my Facebook page for updates.
All funds were through the page with my donate.
The huge swells from the Antarctic had us landlocked for a couple of days at the start, but we all safely finished the Row Raid tn17 and the return raid, including the parade of sails at the Australian Wooden Boat Festival on the 10th of February! After completing the Return Raid I ended the adventure competing as an honorary Kiwi in the St Ayles Skiff Championships at Franklin, 17th-19th of February. Still lots of rowing now the season back home begins. Any questions about this epic fundraising venture and scottish coastal rowing please contact me.
Contact me by email lindagreig@hotmail.com
I received a wonderful welcome and tour of the ercc centre, it was a delight to see the funds in action in the life of the centre and hear of the many more people who will receive their support. I was delighted to here there has been a changing tide of attitudes towards the planning of services in East Lothian who remain committed to enable the service to be sustained here for the coming year. Below is the team handing over a certificate and one of the new safe airy and clean counselling rooms.
