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Local Man Set To Row Across Atlantic Ocean In Effort To Raise Money For Charity

By David Madden

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A Philadelphia based money manager is about to undertake a quest that'll take him, and seven cohorts, far from the world of finance -- or anything on dry land for that matter. But it's all for charity, and to try and break a world record.

Toby Wallace works for Aberdeen Asset Management. You know, the people who now sponsor the Dad Vail Regatta. So perhaps it's appropriate he'll get in a specially rigged boat on February 15th as part of a crew of eight trying to row across the Atlantic Ocean from the Canary Islands to Barbados in 30 days.

They're trying to raise money for the Kirsten Scott team Memorial Trust, set up to remember a member of Aberdeen's marketing team in England who succumbed to cancer last fall at age 25.

Toby's getting a lot of support from family and friends, although his wife has concerns.

"She definitely thinks this is a little bit crazy," said Wallace. "I think what gives her a lot of confidence in this case is that I'm doing it with other people who are experienced."

He's also bulked up -- adding 45 pounds to his frame -- pounds he expects to burn off at sea.

The current world record for rowing across the Atlantic Ocean is 31 days, 23 hours.

The trust, according to a press release, "offers financial assistance to people under 26 years old to travel or take part in volunteer projects which brought Kirsten such joy."

The fund was just recently set up, and they don't yet have a web site. But anyone seeking more information may e-mail carmensquillante@aol.com.

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