On Friday the 30th of April, Sean McGown became the first Irish man to row across the Atlantic ocean solo. He has used Facebook to keep all those following him on his epic journey updated.
Here is his update from Facebook:
Here is his Facebook “Like” page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sean-McGowan-Atlantic-09/88930142279
There are 1,212 people on his Like page, these people followed his journey and offered support and encouragement via comments.
This is an example of Facebook been used in a very cost effective way to keep followers reminded of the journey and a great way to show support. It also serves as a diary, charting the thoughts and experience through this journey.
Sean is doing this in order to raise money for Soweto Connection, a registered Irish charity which helps African communities.
I would urge you to donate something if only a small amount as every little helps, furthermore the Euro is of greater value that South African Rand, and therefore your donation will go further.
How I know Sean
I know Sean from Working in Dell, he was one of my many bosses while I was there. We had our ups and downs, as can be expected within such a high pressure corporate environment. I have great admiration for Sean and this is an incredible journey to complete both from a mental and physical perspective. This is an inspirational story and proves that anything can be achieved once you put your mind to it. The message I get from this is “just set goals, no matter how massive they may seem once you keep the end in sight and put your mind and body in to it, the goal will be achieved”. Sean also undertook and completed his Masters degree in business administration (MBA) at the Kemmy business school the year after me. I wonder which was tougher, and MBA or rowing the Atlantic solo?
How Sean got to know the Soweto Connection
As part of the MBA programme at the Kemmy business school there is an international workshop. Sean and his class visited Cape Town in South Africa for this international workshop. One of his lecturers, Sheila Killian is one of the founding members of the Soweto connection charity.
How I know Soweto Connection
As part of my MBA (the year before Sean and his class) I also went to South Africa for the MBA international workshop, and Sheila Killian was one of my lecturers in Finance, who also came on the workshop. As part of this workshop we received lectures on the South African economy, its stock exchange, its problems, its resources, its history and its attitude to entrepreneurship. We also visited the in townships in Cape Town, Robben Island and inner city redevelopment. We got to meet the very rich and the very poor, an amazing contrast. This international workshop to Cape Town, South Africa forms a big place in my memory as it was an education but, also an experience.
Here again is the Charity Sean is supporting, donate here:
Donate here link page:
