Awards and Achievements

Guinness World Record Holder

Stuart was presented with a Guinness World Record certificate, in person by Craig Glenday, the Editor-in-Chief of the book, following his successful solo, unassisted and unsupported Trans-Atlantic ocean row. The first ever such achievement by a physically disabled person, Stuart rowed a distance of 3341 miles, over 109 days 12 hours and 9 minutes alone at sea, from La Gomera (Canary Isles) to Barbados, between the 15 November 2003 and the 3 March 2004.  

Ocean Yacht Racing Record Holder

Prior to his successful ocean row, Stuart was a crew member onboard "Time and Tide" in the BT Global Challenge 1996-97 around the world yacht race - the first ocean race yacht crew comprised entirely of people who had overcome a life threatening illness or who had a disability. The crew competed against 13 other yachts, crewed entirely by able- bodied people. Astonishingly, "Time and Tide" finished in 10th place on each of the two toughest legs of the race, in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. On the final leg of the race, from Boston to Southampton, the crew endured five days and nights of fog, off the Grand Banks of Nova Scotia, a wind chill as low as minus 20 degrees, peak wind speeds around 65 knots and waves of up to 60 feet in height.

After the race, the crew were awarded the runner up prize in the prestigious 'YJA Yachtsman of the Year Awards 1998' and that was followed by recognition of their achievement as 'Winner, Royal Variety Club Special Team Award 1998', presented at a gala lunch by the late HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
 

Lawnmower Record Holder

In order to raise both publicity and the profile of the crew, which would increase the odds of securing the £1 Million sponsorship required, Stuart came up with the idea to drive a fully working lawnmower, generously sponsored by Countax, from John O'Groats to Land's End.  Additionally sponsored by Henri Lloyd, BT plc, Zurich Insurance, Land Rover, Esso petroleum, a  Countax dealership per day (for servicing, maintenance checks and any emergencies - there were none) and a variety of hotels, bed and breakfast establishments and the contributions of sponsors and donors at the roadside, Stuart arrived at Land's End 18 days after leaving John O'Groats, having covered 874 miles - the exact distance shown on the sign at Land's End to John O'Groats - having been featured in 28 regional newspapers; countless broadcast interviews and raising £10,000 along his journey (sponsorship and cash donors in the "team bucket" in lay-by's etc.).  On his route, Stuart earned 11 nights accommodation by the simple promise of cutting the lawn before departure, the following morning, which he always honoured!! Suffice to say, the crew went on to achieve the funds required to enter the round the world yacht race,  in which their sponsors included Deutsche Morgan Grenfell (Title sponsor); British Airways (logistics support); Henri Lloyd (the best wet weather clothing supplier who also supplied crew polo shirts, shore jackets etc.); Church and Co (Deckshoes); Cisco Systems (Sponsorship); BT plc (Sponsorship); Ritz Carlton hotels (accommodation in port); The Sunday Times (exclusive media rights) and various other companies who provided sponsorship or goods in kind, for which the crew were most grateful and, collectively, without which, the crew could not have entered the race or competed within it. Thank you one and all!   

Other Awards and Recognition of Stuart's Achievements

Stuart has been privileged, and honoured, to receive the following recognition:

• Aylesbury Vale District Council inaugural winner - "Sportsperson of the Year" - in 1998
• Selected as one of just 40 ordinary citizens, who had inspired others, alongside 100 well known sports, business people and celebrities, to carry the Olympic flame when the Olympic Torch Relay visited London on 26 June 2004. 
• ITV Central "Courageous Midlander of the Year 2004"
• Milton Keynes Sports "Winner - Sportsperson of the Year 2004"
• Runner up in the "Beacon Fellowship Awards 2004", in the category "Risk Taking", in which Sir Bob Geldof was the winner
• Banbury Guardian "Sports Personality of the Year 2005"
• West Mercia Police "Chief Constable's Certificate of Appreciation" in respect of his work in the fields of Diversity and Inclusion -2008
• The Freedom of the City of London, in 2014, for his service to charitable and social causes

© Copyright. All rights reserved.