The Crew

Age: 30

From: Suffolk

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My commitment to mental health advocacy stems from personal experiences and a desire to break down stigmas surrounding mental illness. The work of James' Place resonates deeply with me, as I have witnessed firsthand the impact of mental health struggles on individuals and their families. Additionally, I have personal, and close to home, experience and admiration for the life-saving efforts of the East Anglian Air Ambulance which again fuels my ambition to complete this daunting crossing, helping them to carry out their critical missions through charitable funds raised. Being a Suffolk boy The Giving Tree is a charity close to my heart. Their mission in supporting local communities in and around East Anglia is a cause that we are really keen to champion.

I’ve always had a passion for adventure, with a desire to make a difference, but more so I have never been one to shy away from physical challenge. That said, my previous challenges have always been land based. I am thrilled to be a member of the Oardinary Crew and to be embarking on this journey.

As I prepare to embark on the World's Toughest Row, it must be said that we will firstly need to learn how to row…but we are fully committed to the immense challenges that lie ahead: the relentless waves, the exhaustion and the isolation.

Age: 29
From: Essex

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From a personal standpoint, I could not be more thrilled at the opportunity to raise awareness of and partner with, such impressive and vital charities. I have seen firsthand how critical the work of EAAA is in terms of providing life-saving critical care 24/7, year-round across the region that I call home. Further to this, I don’t think I could express how vital the work is of James’ Place in the battle against suicide in young men and the against the stigma surrounding men’s mental health. Their work in offering life-saving treatment to suicidal men really is imperative; I have personally felt and seen the effect that mental illnesses can have on friends and families.

I am also really proud to be supporting The Giving Tree, their aim in helping the smaller charities across East Anglia really resonates with me and I know the money raised will go directly to helping the communities in the region in which I’ve grown up.

Since a young age I have looked to push myself to edge on number of sports fields, however I am not sure that any of my prior escapades will come anywhere near to the mental battle of undertaking on World’s Toughest Row–Atlantic. It has been a long-held ambition of mine to row the Atlantic and I am hugely excited to be able to take on this challenge with a team of friends that have known each other for well over a decade. Although the crew, and I, are only at the beginning of what will be a long and daunting journey to Antigua, I am hugely excited at prospect the daunting task that lies ahead.

Age: 29
From: Norfolk

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We are exceptionally lucky in the East of England to have the EAAA providing a lifesaving rescue service for those that are critically injured. They have saved countless lives within the area, including those in local sports clubs I participated in growing up, and especially those within the equestrian industry, within which I worked for several years. This service, however, entails considerable costs, without which they would be unable to continue providing emergency rescue.

I have had a close connection with James’ Place since around the time they opened in 2018, having lost a very close friend the year before to suicide. It has been personally moving to see the service they offer grow around the UK and hear the stories of countless men’s lives they have saved. I hope one day there will not be a need for James’ Place to exist, but until then I want to support them as much as possible, to continue providing lifesaving support to men in their hour of need.

Having grown up in Norfolk I am very aware of all of the great local charities that are making such a difference to the area. Raising money for The Giving Tree means that we are able to give back to the region that we all know and love, so smaller charities and community groups can continue to thrive.

Rowing the Atlantic is a very daunting proposition and I think back to being at primary school, where a former pupil came in to describe her experience of completing this challenge 15 years ago. It is something I have always wanted to know if I am capable of completing, mentally as much as physically. I hope in some way that I might inspire others to undertake a physical and mental challenge such as this in the future, much as I was as all those years ago.

Age : 29

From: Dorset

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As the fourth and final member of the team, I am incredibly excited to have the opportunity to support such amazing causes. James’ Place, East Anglian Air Ambulance and The Giving Tree are charities that make a significant and tangible difference in people’s lives, and hopefully, we as a team can help them continue to grow and expand the incredible work they are doing.

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Men’s mental health is an issue that is still too often not addressed properly. What James’ Place is doing to challenge this stigma and save the lives of men contemplating suicide is phenomenal, and it will truly keep us motivated during the most difficult moments of the row. Although I am not from East Anglia, I have directly seen the life-saving support the EAAA provides as first responders to people who have suffered traumatic and life-changing injuries. The immediate care they deliver is vital, saving lives daily, and their aftercare services help patients and their families through some of the toughest times of their lives. I have also heard about all of the great work that The Giving Tree has done in the East region and feel privileged to be able to support their ongoing fundraising efforts for local communities.

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While I am currently in the process of leaving the Army, I have not lost my sense of adventure or my love for both the outdoors and a challenge! Having never sat in a rowing boat before, the prospect of rowing an ocean is certainly daunting but also incredibly exciting, presenting itself as the ultimate challenge. Over the next two years, we will be tested mentally and physically in ways we can’t yet fully comprehend. However, taking this on as part of a team makes it even more exciting, and I can’t wait to see what the Atlantic has in store for us.