Hundres in Bexhill Witness Charity Rowers Receiving The Freedom Of The Town

The ‘Oarsome Foursome’, Ian Allen, Matt Hellier, Nick McCorry and Phil McCorry were presented with the honour in front of the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, the High Sheriff, the chairman of Rother District Council and the mayor of Bexhill.

The rowers made history by becoming the first team of four to row from Australia to Mauritius.

Their adventure raised thousands of pounds for the Stroke Association.

Family, friends and residents turned out in force to watch the ceremony, funded by Rother District Council, arranged to celebrate their success.

Sponsors, including individuals who paid to have their name on the side of the boat, also attended the event. 

The men are the first to receive the Freedom of Bexhill for more than 40 years.  It is the highest honour the Bexhill Charter Trustees can give to any individual or corporate body.

The reception included a question and answer session which saw the team answer queries from the public on their 68 days aboard their boat, ‘The Bexhill Trust Challenger’.

Each man explained how they braved 50ft waves, physical exhaustion and mental fatigue to win the race.

Matt said:  “What kept me going was all of those names on the side of the boat.  There was no way I was going to let all those people and the town down.”

Phil summed up:  “The Bexhill name will always remain in ocean rowing history.  Thank you to everyone – we are what we are because of you.”

“I would like to congratulate Rother District Council for raising the profile of volunteering,” said Lord Lieutenant Peter Field.  “By giving the freedom of the town to these four young men you have raised its profile to where it should be.”

The evening concluded with a presentation of the Bexhill Trust Challenger’s broken rudder to Row4Charity team members Geoff Dixon and Andy Bristow.