Raised so far
/£80,000
Before we begin the race, we need to raise around £80,000 to pay for race entry, the boat, shipping, equipment, food, and much more. Whether you are an individual looking to put forward a small amount of money or a company interested in exciting sponsorship opportunities, we have different options below. We are extremely grateful for anything anyone can give towards our costs or to MIND.
My original motivation was wanting to complete an expedition which would well and truly push my physical and mental boundaries in a way they had not been tested before. However, the hectic nature of student life at the University of Edinburgh meant the row got pushed down my list of priorities. That was until a pair of tragic incidents in recent years - two friends unexpectedly took their own lives. This provided the impetus to seriously commit to the row and to raise money for MIND. The desire to honour their memory will be with us for every oar stroke across the Atlantic.
Having grown up on the Dorset coast, I’ve been on the sea from an early age: sailing, gig rowing, fishing… you name it. More recently, endurance has become a theme in my life. Cycling 240 miles non-stop to Paris and running 100km through the mountains of Transylvania both feature on my recent holidays. Rowing the Atlantic will be the challenge of a lifetime. This incredible event provides the opportunity to raise money for a cause very close to my heart. Tragically, even before leaving for university, two friends lost their lives to suicide. I am immensely proud to be rowing in support of MIND and all the critical work they do
My sister has run a couple of marathons, which I've had to hear a great deal about, so I'd like to see her top this. But obviously being able to raise any money for MIND is a key driver, so they can help more people who may need their support. And also I think it will be great fun, can't wait for the feeling when we're half way across knowing we're 1,500 from land in any direction and it's just us and some oars.
As a youngster I was a keen rower, rowing to National school level competition and ever the keen but middle-achieving sportsman. Since that time I have wanted to undertake a challenge where I can test my limits of mind and body but sadly haven't had the time in the Covid era and army application phase of my recent life. When Daragh, Sam and Ed’s expedition came onto my radar i jumped at the chance immediately. Their causes aligned to some of my own and I hope to raise money to aid with those suffering from addiction and other mental health concerns which have fatally affected both my own friends and family. Raising funds for causes as serious and important as these will keep me and the the team going. the fringes of those physical and mental limits will be stretched with goals like this playing such a key part to the success and motivation behind this expedition. I hope to raise as much as humanly possible in the memory of those lost and for the causes that can help those in similar circumstances.
The World's Toughest Row (December 2024) is the premier
event in ocean rowing. The challenge takes rowers more than 4800
kilometres (3000 miles) west from San Sebastian in La Gomera, Canary
Islands to Nelson’s Dockyard, English Harbour, Antigua & Barbuda.
The annual race begins in early December, with up to 30 teams
participating from around the world. Weeks before the race begins, the
rowing teams and the world's media begin to gather in the race village
in San Sebastian. The atmosphere is electric as people help each other
prepare for the once-in-a-lifetime challenge of crossing the mighty
Atlantic Ocean in a rowing boat. The preparation culminates in a
leaving party the night before the race begins, where nerves and
excitement hit fever-pitch.
The mental and physical endurance required to complete the challenge is extreme - more people have been to space or climbed Mt Everest than have rowed across the Atlantic Ocean. Each competitor will row for two hours and rest for two hours, twenty-four hours a day, every day. Teams will battle sleep deprivation, salt sores, dehydration, hallucinations, sun stroke and waves of up to 30ft. Each rower burns more than 5,000 calories per day, resulting in an average weight loss of 12kg during the row. The average crossing takes around 42 days but is hugely dependent on weather conditions - in the 2016 race, solo rower Daryl Farmer arrived in Antigua after 96 days, having lost his rudder on the 56th day! Below is the 2022 race summary video:
From 2017 to 2018, two school friends, Joe and Ross, tragically and unexpectedly took their own lives. Both possessed enormous, vivacious personalities which still burn brightly in the lives of their families and friends. Joe and Ross also had exceptional unique talents. Joe was an extremely gifted musician whose guitar-playing, song-writing and singing led him to study music at university whilst playing in a band. Ross was a youth national sailing champion and accomplished all round sportsman, as well as a student of law at university. His family have assured us that our challenge is exactly the sort of thing Ross would have loved to have done himself!
Joe and Ross were both intelligent, confident, outgoing, devilishly
good looking, and surrounded by loyal and loving friends.
Nevertheless, they were afflicted by the horrific problem of mental
health issues. Their experiences highlight the fact that even lives
filled with love, laughter and success are not safe. Suicide is now
the leading cause of death for under-35s in the UK and it is estimated
that 1 in 4 people experience a mental health issue every year. We are
proud to do our little bit to help fight mental health problems by
completing this row. The desire to honour the memories of Joe and Ross
will be with us for every oar stroke across the Atlantic Ocean. We are
thrilled to have both of their families supporting our fundraising
efforts for MIND, and look forward to them joining us at our charity
auction! If you would like to make a donation to MIND via our
JustGiving page, please click on the button: