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Website: www.rowaurora.co.uk Email: Dawn@rowaurora.co.uk Tel: 07540321118

ROW AURORA FEMALE SOLO ATLANTIC CHALLENGE

JANUARY 2019

ROWING AN OCEAN TO SAVE

OUR OCEANS

І 1 woman І 1 boat І 3000 miles І

Sponsorship proposal document

Prepared by Dawn Wood

Website: www.rowaurora.co.uk Email: Dawn@rowaurora.co.uk Tel: 07540321118

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Welcome to Row Aurora

Mission statement Row Aurora’s mission is to raise awareness about the problem of plastics polluting the world’s oceans and to encourage others to reduce their single use plastics.

Dawn (aka Smiffy) will be doing this by taking on the massive challenge of rowing 3000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean. If this was not enough of a challenge she will be doing it solo and unsupported becoming one of only 6 other women to have done this.

“If everyone makes a small change,

together we can make a big difference”

Dawn Wood

Aims To row 3000miles across the Atlantic Ocean Solo and un-supported.

To break the world record for the fasted time a solo female has crossed the Atlantic. Currently set at 49 days.

To become one of only 6 women in the world to have completed this challenge.

Raise £100,000 to fund the campaign in order to make a huge impact on the reduction of ocean plastic pollution.

Encourage others to reduce their single use plastics.

Collect evidence of ocean pollution whilst crossing the Atlantic to be used in essential research.

To inspire others to challenge themselves

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Why support this campaign?

There is currently more than 8 million tonnes of plastics that have been discarded into our oceans taking centuries to degrade. A plastic water bottle can take 450 years to break down however some research suggests that plastic submerged in deep or cold water may never completely disappear. This could mean that by 2050, the plastic in the world's oceans will weigh more than all the fish, according to The Ellen MacArthur Foundation. This problem affects every person and living creature on the planet as the discarded plastics will eventually end up in the food chain. Small particles of plastic cannot be distinguished by marine life and plankton from its normal food. As small creatures are eaten by larger ones, the poisoning of the food chain continues to get worse.

The survival of marine wildlife is itself at threat as every year a huge number of sea birds, fish life, whales and dolphins die from becoming entangled in plastic waste or eating so much plastic they become malnourished and die. It is estimated that 308,000 whales and dolphins die every year because they get entangled and drown.

During Dawns Atlantic crossing she will be keeping a record of her findings. She is currently looking into ways of doing this whilst still meeting her aims. Any findings will be shared with research facilities that can use the evidence in the fight to reduce plastics in our oceans.

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The Challenge

In January 2019, Dawn Wood will be leaving Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands, to row solo unsupported across the Atlantic Ocean to Barbados, a crossing of 3000 miles.

This is not going to be an easy task; in fact more people have been into space or reached the summit of Mount Everest than have rowed an ocean. This row is one of the toughest challenges on earth.

Raging seas, howling winds, sharks, blisters and salt rashes, sunstroke and sleep deprivation, are just some of the challenges Dawn is going to face during her crossing. When she is not on the oars she will be taking the time to eat, make water, treat the blisters and perhaps get a couple of hours sleep.

Gran Canaria

Barbados

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Who is Row Aurora?

The name Aurora is a girl's name of Latin origin meaning "Dawn". So it seemed appropriate to name the campaign after the lady who will be taking on the challenge. Aurora also symbolises the start of a new day or a new beginning, which is a powerful symbol to head our campaign. Dawn is a commercially endorsed yachtmaster and instructs many maritime disciplines such as navigation, vhf radio, RADAR, advanced powerboat and yachtmaster. She has worked commercially on the water for 16 years as a police boat skipper so is no stranger to emergency situations including firearms operations at sea. Most of her students are officers from the police and other enforcement agencies. Dawn is also trained as a marine mammal medic dealing with many stranded or injured animals over the years. Dawn first became involved in coastal rowing in 2014 when her home town of Burnham on Crouch set up a rowing club and is now working towards her coaching qualification. Charlie Pitcher (Ocean rowing world record holder) is the president of the rowing club. He learnt about Dawn’s skills and asked her to help with an ocean rowing project in China. Charlie said; “Dawn has all the skills I needed in a team member to help with this project. She is just amazing” The project was very successful involving 3 years of training and ending with 10 students taking part in a 300 mile ocean row into Hong Kong. In January 2018 Dawn witnessed the four of her students in team ‘Kung Fu Cha Cha’ cross the Atlantic gaining several world records in the process. Dawn said; “To know I was part of their story was a real honour” Spending the last 33 years living in riverside towns and the last 16 years on the water as a professional police boat skipper, Dawn knows first-hand the impact pollution has on our oceans and has a real passion to make an impact on the problem.

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The boat Dawn will be crossing the Atlantic in a ‘Rannoch’ purpose built ocean rowing boat model R10. This is a 23ft one person rowing boat built to self-right should it capsize. The R10 is said to be: "The fastest and safest ocean rowing boat ever built".

This boat has already set a number of records, so is fully prepared for the task ahead. Equipment such as water maker, navigation plotter, radios, emergency safety equipment and positioning beacons will be carried on this small but perfectly formed boat. When crossing an ocean to raise awareness for ocean pollution what better way to do it than in a boat with zero emissions!! The boat is propelled by women power alone, all the electrical equipment on board is powered by solar panels and the boat was bought second hand to reduce the carbon footprint of the campaign. In fact Dawn has sourced second hand equipment wherever possible as possible a bid to make this as carbon neutral as possible. Second hand does not however mean second best as everything will be tested and serviced by Rannoch adventure whose passion and expertise is second to none in the small world of ocean rowing.

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Sponsorship Benefits

Row Aurora is currently seeking vital sponsorship. Without the help of sponsors this campaign will not be able to reach its aims. Any offers of corporate or individual support, including the donation of goods and services would be extremely welcome. Sponsoring Row Aurora could benefit your company in several ways: Brand exposure- Rowing an ocean is something unusual which always attracts media attention across the world. To date only 6 women in the world have rowed across the Atlantic solo, this will attract coverage from many news stations on an international level. Sponsors branding and logos- Sponsors will have their logos or brand names on clothing, the boat and any literature/ posters. Branded clothing will be worn during the row and when taking part in any media events or TV interviews. Social media- Dawn has a Facebook page Row Aurora which will be kept up to date and mention any sponsors on a regular basis. Your logo will also be permanently displayed

Media campaigns – interviews and articles in local and papers, magazines, television and radio. As this is an independent campaign and not part of a race Row Aurora will not be competing with other teams for media coverage.

Brand profile- Associating your brand with a high profile campaign supporting a worthy cause will increase the profile of your brand.

Product testing- If your company produces a product that fits with the campaign, there may be an opportunity depending on the level of sponsorship to test this product whilst at sea which in turn could be endorsed by Dawn as part of your company’s future advertising campaign.

Advertising Campaigns- Depending on the level of sponsorship there is an opportunity for Dawn to appear in future advertising campaigns for your company

Corporate events- There is also the opportunity to have Dawn attend and speak at any of your corporate events or attend after dinner speeches.

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PLATINUM SPONSORSHIP POA

Name the boat and the campaign. (Row Aurora sponsored by your company)

X Large Brand logo on both sides of the boat in prime position indicating your support as our main sponsor

Premium level of media exposure before, during and after the campaign including corporate logos and web links on our campaign advertising.

Your company logo (front and back) on all clothing worn before, during and after the campaign.

Corporate event attendance by Dawn.

Invitation to all fundraising events.

PR shoots with Dawn and sees your logo on the boat that will cross an ocean.

Products tested, reviewed and endorsed by Dawn (This would depend of the type and size of product.)

Opportunity for Dawn to endorse products and appear in your company’s future advertising campaigns

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GOLD SPONSORSHIP £25,000

Large Brand logo both sides of the boat in a key position indicating your support.

Premium level of media exposure before, during and after the campaign. This includes corporate logos and web links on our

campaign advertising.

Your company logo (front and back) on all clothing worn before, during and after the campaign.

Corporate event attendance by Dawn.

Invitation to all fundraising events.

PR shoots with Dawn and sees your logo on the boat that will cross an ocean.

Products tested, reviewed and endorsed by Dawn (This would depend of the type and size of product.)

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SILVER SPONSORSHIP

£15,000

Medium Brand logo on both sides of the boat in a key position indicating your support.

High level of media exposure before, during and after the campaign including corporate logos and web links on our

campaign advertising.

Your company logo (front and back) on all clothing worn before, during and after the campaign.

Corporate event attendance.

Invitation to all fundraising events.

PR shoots with Dawn and sees your logo on the boat that will cross an ocean.

BRONZE SPONSERSHIP

£5,000

A small company logo displayed on boat

Your company’s website link and logo clearly displayed on our website

Invitation to fundraising events

Potential for local advertising

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Small Business Sponsorship

£2,500 – All the benefits of Bronze sponsorship with a smaller logo

£1,500 – All the benefits of Bronze sponsorship with logo on one of the oars

£1,000 – All the benefits of Bronze sponsorship with logo the same size as 250 club name stickers

£500 – No logo placement, but all the other benefits of Bronze sponsorship.

Join the 250 club

Your name on the world record breaking boat Dawn is also looking for individuals, friends and family to

support her venture by joining the 250 club. The aim is to get 250 people to sponsor £250

Individual donations £250 will be listed on the website

www.rowaurora.co.uk, the Facebook page and any other social media used in this campaign.

Your name will also be printed on the cabin of the boat, so your name will cross the Atlantic with Dawn.

Sponsorship in Kind Goods & Services

Alternatively, rather than a financial donation, you may like to

help by purchasing some of the vital equipment needed for the race. Any donations of goods or services will receive the same

benefits as a platinum, gold, silver or bronze partner, depending on the equivalent financial level of support.

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Conclusion

There are expenses to this campaign such as the boat cost, shipping, specialist support, equipment and food. However, all the proceeds after the row will be shared between a selected few charities that have the same aim of reducing plastics in our ocean.

Thank you for taking the time to read my proposal. This is set to be a huge campaign with so many benefits to come from it. I really hope you can find a way to help support Row Aurora no matter how big or small.

Thank you,

Dawn Wood Dawn Wood

Website: www.rowaurora.co.uk

Email: Dawn@rowaurora.co.uk

Tel: 07540321118