James Adair, left, and Ben Stenning pictured next to the boat in which they plan to take part in a rowing race across the Indian Ocean to raise funds for charity. (1023823)

A FORMER writer of this column is planning to row from Australia to Mauritius for charity.James Adair, who lived and worked in Alderney for almost two years from 2006, will be joined on the 3,100-mile Woodvale Indian Ocean Race by best friend Ben Stenning.

The pair, both 30, have been planning to row across an ocean for years and will begin their trek in April.

While Ben is raising cash for the Tumaini Children’s Home in Kenya, James – who now lives in London and works for HSBC’s shipping department – is raising money for the GBS Support Group, a charity that helps people affected by Guillain-Barre syndrome.

‘At the age of 14, I contracted GBS and within a day I was completely paralysed and unable to see, breathe or move a muscle, but was fully conscious,’ said James, who also edited the Alderney Journal during his time in the island. ‘This was quite scary, but perhaps worse for family and friends who knew nothing of this illness.

‘The GBSSG does much valued work in supporting families coping with this illness and also in funding research into its causes and cures.’

He went on to appeal for sponsors.

‘I miss Alderney and the islanders and hope everyone is well. If anyone wants to sponsor our charity rowing trip, then that would be great.’

The intrepid duo will use a specially designed self-righting boat that has enough space to carry food and supplies for the Indian Ocean crossing.

‘In July we bought the boat, which was designed and built by Rossiter Yachts in 2007,’ said James.

‘She was rowed by Matt Boreham and Alan Locke across the Atlantic in 2008 and recently completed the Woodvale Atlantic Race. She’s provisionally named Brixton Dreamer but could be renamed by a generous sponsor.’

l Anyone who would like to sponsor James should visit www.justgiving.com/James-Adair.

Master storyteller Samira Kirollos is to perform at the Island Hall tomorrow.

Dr Kirollos, who has extensive TV and radio experience, will perform four stories about ancient Egypt from 8pm.

Dr Kirollos trained as a ballet dancer for 16 years and played the violin for 14 years. For 23 years she has enchanted and beguiled audiences of all ages through storytelling in countless museums including The British, The Museum of Mankind and the Brooklyn Museum.

She has published two audio CDs of myths and stories from ancient Egypt and is currently working on a trilogy of CDs of 12 stories from Egypt throughout the ages.

Tickets for the show cost £10 and are available from Shirley’s Boutique in Victoria Street. They will also be available on the door from 7.30pm. There will be a licensed bar at the event.