Adventure on the high seas beckons for an intrepid Shenfield couple who will be sailing across the treacherous Bay of Biscay for charity.
Melanie Reynolds, 33 and Neal Rayner, 35 of Great Oaks, will be part of a crew of 12 raising cash for Habitat for Humanity, which builds homes in deprived communities around the world.
The two landlubbers have never sailed before in their lives, although they are no strangers to danger as they share a passion for kickboxing.
The Bay of Biscay, which lies between south-west France and northern Spain, is known as one of the most challenging stretches of water in the world for sailors.
"We are under no illusions," said Melanie. "We know its going to be hard work and we have been training even harder to improve our fitness. We will be changing sails in storm conditions, sailing all night and we are told that it's virtually guaranteed that we will be very sea sick for 24 to 48 hours."
Melanie and Neal, who both work for a firm of solicitors in London, hope to raise £5,000 for Habitat for Humanity, which works with volunteers in more than 90 countries to build simple houses.
The money they raise will go towards building homes in Portugal. They say about £500 will build one home for people in deprived communities.
Melanie said: "People are given a hand up rather than a hand out, the houses are sold at a cost and the interest-free mortgage repayments are used locally for building even more homes."
The seven day trip takes place in September. Anyone who wants to sponsor the couple can call Melanie on 0207 832 7071
Published Friday August 6, 2004
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