Cornwall's Atlantic crew take on 24-hour row
Invictus crew will tackle the 'rowathon' ahead of a 3,000 mile Atlantic challenge in December
A group of four men from Cornwall, who will row across the Atlantic Ocean this December, are set to test their endurance in a 24-hour rowathon.
The Invictus Atlantic crew, are raising funds for a Cornish mental health charity for young people by racing 3,000 miles next month.
Beginning at 3pm today (Friday 15 November) the non-stop event in Falmouth Events Square will show spectators some of the challenges they'll face when they row in shifts of two hours on, two hours off, battling waves and high winds in a few weeks' time.#
The four friends, who are skipper James Brittain-Long, Paul Hayes, Luke Morgan and David Radford-Wilson, are raising money for mental health charity Invictus Trust.
It was set up by the Cowburn family from Truro in January 2011 dedicated to the memory of son and brother, 18-year-old Ben Cowburn, who took his own life after a period of mental illness.
The team are taking part in The World's Toughest Row, an annual challenge that will see 44 international rowing teams set off from La Gomera in the Canaries to Antiqua in the Caribbean on 12th December. They are being supported by a host of Cornish businesses, including lead sponsor Aspects Holidays, based in Hayle.
The Invictus Atlantic crew expect to take six or seven weeks to cross the Atlantic in their 8.5m boat, each consuming the equivalent of 26 Mars bars of calories every day as they row non-stop. The Falmouth rowathon will replicate their strict regime for 24 hours, but without the 40-foot waves they can expect when at sea.
James Brittain-Long, skipper of the Invictus Atlantic, explained why the cause is so close to the team’s hearts: "Rowing across the Atlantic is one of the greatest challenges you can take on, but we’re doing this to support young people facing their own battles. Adolescent mental health in Cornwall is something we’re passionate about, and Invictus Trust does incredible work to help young people get the support they need.
"We hope this rowathon inspires people to join us in raising funds and awareness for this cause, while giving a taste of the gruelling schedule we'll be facing for real in just a few weeks' time."
Mandy Spencer, commercial director of team sponsor Aspects Holidays, said: "James and the team have been training hard for their epic row and we're very proud to be supporting the Invictus Atlantic crew on their inspiring journey, and in helping to raise funds for the vital work of Invictus Trust in Cornwall. We hope that people will turn out to cheer them on in Falmouth and donate whatever they can spare to such an amazing cause."
The rowathon is the latest in a series of training challenges undertaken by the quartet, including a series of overnight rows from their home base at Mylor Bridge near Falmouth and an arduous four-day return journey to the Isles of Scilly in atrocious weather.
The four-man crew, which includes a former Royal Marine Commando, a former RNAS Culdrose helicopter pilot and a former Royal Engineer Officer, are raising money to support a counselling service for 11 to 21-year-olds that was launched by Invictus Trust in January this year.
The team hopes to raise the money needed to run the counselling service for a second year. And by demonstrating the value it provides, Invictus Trust hopes to secure a permanently funded solution for Cornwall from NHS commissioners.
To find out more about the Invictus Atlantic challenge and to donate to the team's fundraising efforts, visit the Invictus Atlantic website.