Taking the cassette tape from the shelf in his bedroom where it had sat untouched for more than 20 years, Louis Bird slid it into an old Walkman and pressed play. “Hello Louis, it’s Peter… Daddy.
I thought I’d do this tape so you won’t forget me,” the voice began, and immediately Louis’ eyes welled up with tears. Louis was just four when he last saw his dad, ocean rowing legend Peter Bird, who in 1996 set off to Russia to attempt to row solo across the Pacific non-stop.
Peter, 49, recorded the tape knowing it would be nearly a year before he saw his son again. He never came home. On the 69th day of his treacherous journey, rescuers answered a distress call to find his boat capsized – and no sign of Peter.
Read more on mirror.co.uk