Billy Gammon
Billy Gammon
The Ice Boat’s an amazing vessel and whilst I don't want to sound soft, I must admit I'm becoming very fond of her!
Billy is a born and bred Cornishman, and spent his childhood playing around on the fairways at Trevose (Cornwall), the home of the family business. He started his working life in the high-octane world of advertising, culminating in helping to establish London’s M2M media agency. In 2004 a change in personal circumstances led to a move to New Zealand, which brought new challenges and life changing experiences. Instead of remaining within the advertising industry, Billy was lured in to the gaming world as he joined the team to launch the high roller marketing programme for Auckland’s SKYCITY Entertainment Ltd before taking up the role as Sponsorship Director at Auckland Racing Club.
It was during this time that he received news his father had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The ignorance, mixed with the stigma surrounding prostate cancer was hugely frustrating and Billy was determined to do something about it.
Along with a good friend, they came across Woodvale’s Indian Ocean Race 2009. Having never rowed, let alone experienced blue water this was the perfect challenge and so it was Team ‘Rowing For Prostate’ was launched. The journey to the start line and then across the Ocean was a non-stop 21 month roller coaster ride, full of incredible highs and lows. However after 81 days at the mercy of Mother Nature they crawled in to Mauritius, minus rails, out of food, and mentally and physically exhausted - but with heads held high.
The row has had a profound effect on Billy’s outlook on life; consequently he left his job at Auckland Racing Club to embark on a speaking tour of UK and Hong Kong, whilst maintaining a foothold in the sponsorship industry. He is now a Director at iMediasport in London.
The Old Pulteney Row to the Pole Expedition will present many challenges similar to those experienced during the Indian campaign, but also many very different, and with those come new experiences, new memories and more life changing achievements. For Billy it presents an amazing opportunity to be part of one of the few remaining maritime world firsts with such a crucial cause at its heart.