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Extraordinary Katie receives donation to her charity

Mar 18, 2010 News

The remarkable American Katie Spotz, 22, the youngest person to solo row across the Atlantic Ocean received US$1,000 from Mings Product and Services Ltd. Tuesday evening at a simple ceremony at Princess Hotel Providence, East Bank Demerara.
The money is intended for the Blue Planet Run Foundation which is a charitable organisation that funds safe-drinking water projects around the world.
Princess Hotel General Manager, Muharrem Kulekci, said that the management is very honoured to have Katie Spotz as a guest of the Hotel, since her cause is a wonderful one that motivates people.
He also congratulated her on the journey and wished her a great continuance on her next journey and adventure. Spotz has also surpassed her recently-upped fundraising target $US61,713.30 for the Blue Planet Run Foundation, to US$ 74,600.
Katie Spotz related that she spent two years making plans for her journey; most of the time was spent securing sponsorship and sorting out the logistics as well as getting the boat prepared.
She added the boat in which she travels is one of three in the world. It is 19 feet long and only has room for one person in addition to a bow cabin where she stored most of her food along with the cockpit that has little space.
The stern cabin is where she slept, and she had her water maker which converted the salt water to drinkable water and other electronics.Katie further added that she had a help button installed on the boat. In case of an emergency she could have pressed it and her rescuers would come to her assistance.
According to Katie, she rowed to raise funds for a charity called the Blue Planet Run Foundation, which will help communities gain access to safe drinking water, since over one billion people do not have the basic access to  potable water, “which motivated and inspired me to carry on.”
She explained, she was intending to arrive in Cayenne, French Guiana and the weather was rough, however, she persisted another 400 miles and reached the shores of Guyana.
“I am very pleased to have arrived here. The papaw and watermelon are tasty, and ever since I have been here I am treated like a queen. I would recommend people to come here. It has really been amazing,” she remarked.
“There were moments when I would have given anything to be on land and there were moments I felt the best place to be was the sea. Everyday there was something new.”
She revealed that she never felt threatened by the marine life while at sea. However, she was vulnerable in a 19-foot boat and large freights and fishing boats were especially scary at times. And after not seeing humans for approximately two months, the feeling was amazing and reassuring to see them.
According to Director of Guyana Tourism, Indranauth Haralsingh, when Katie was heading for Georgetown a team was deployed to ensure her safe arrival and visit, since communication was made possible through her satellite phone. Coordination was made with the coast guards to escort her to shore.
He said that she was promised a trip to Kaieteur Fall, which she received. Her trip should inspire the adventurous side in the young people of Guyana who should embark on various expeditions such as a journey from Georgetown to Orinduik or to Lethem by mountain bike.
He said that Katie is not only an inspiration but also one who shows the discipline and determination that can make anything achievable.
According to Katie’s friend, Sam Williams, he had also rowed from the Canary Island to Antigua in support of a charity called Good Farm Africa, which is a British-based charity that supports sustainable farming ventures in Africa.
He added that he knew Katie before he started his rowing and has been helping and giving advice whenever necessary, while helping her coordinate her travel on water.

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