Nick and I are taking on one of the worlds toughest challenges to raise 250,000 for Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Nick and Myself will be testing the limits of our strength and endurance by rowing the Atlantic Ocean as part of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, starting in December 2013.
We are taking on the challenge to raise money and awareness for the pioneering charity. Nicks wife and my lifelong friend, Ellen, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009 at the age of 33. Ellen had to go through treatment while taking care of her two children, who were just one and three years old at the time. Nick, 36, It was devastating when Ellen was diagnosed with breast cancer and she showed incredible strength to get through it. She is our inspiration for wanting to take on such a big challenge for Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Knowing the money raised will help find new treatments and help save lives is our motivation for this unbelievably tough challenge. Around 48,000 women and 300 men are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK each year, with 12,000 dying of the disease.
Breakthrough Breast Cancer is leading the fight against the disease by developing new life-saving treatments and bringing them to patients as quickly as possible. Nick and I will row unsupported and self-sufficiently from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to English Harbour in Antigua a distance of 2,600 nautical miles. The journey takes on average 50 days to complete. We have already bought the winning boat from last years race and received handy tips from others who have completed the epic challenge. Journey facts: More people have been into space or climbed Mount Everest than have rowed the Atlantic The weather is unpredictable and can be extreme with waves over 40 feet high Nick and I will row 24 hours a day, in shifts of two hours on, two hours off, for the duration We will burn 8,000 calories a day and lose 20% of our bodyweight during the crossing. I (Ed) am, 37, from Penmaenmawr, North Wales, I love a challenge and there are few bigger challenges than this. We have to be a bit mad to take this on, but we should get through it because we are both very determined and, more important, close friends.
Following Ellen's breast cancer treatment we knew we had to do something to fight this disease. Nick and I are also seeking 75,000 in corporate sponosrship to enable us to take part in the event. We have made a personal investment of 33,000 to get our hands on a fantastic boat.
If you think your company would like to be involved and to see what we can offer you, please get in touch. Many thanks, Nick Ed To find out more about our challenge visit www.breakthroughatlantic.com.
For more information and interviews, please contact Nick on 07971 809 369 or breakthroughatlantic@yahoo.co.uk. Ed can be contacted on 07966 065073 or edward200275@gmail.com.