Atlantic Body and Soul row the Atlantic Challenge

Update 17 October - Our ONLINE ART AUCTION has now launched - see the amazing variety of wonderful works of art here and bid away - GOOD LUCK!

Update 11 May 22 - GAMECHANGER! - Thank you to everyone who has supported and sponsored the crew so far.  We are super-excited to announce they’ve raised the funds needed to buy the boat thanks to a private individual who wishes to remain anonymous.  

This is a game-changer for the crew and brings the total offline donations to £65K.  

We are still working hard to raise the remaining £50,000 - if you can help, please get in touch and/or donate on our Crowdfunding page.  There are rewards on offer that will support the crew to complete the challenge and keep you on board (in a safe and dry kind of way!) in their epic adventure!

REWARDS - The ABS crew have been working on their abs of course.  The training is a big part of the preparation. They have also been working on their fundraising strategy and are delighted to share the rewards on offer in return for your generous donations.  Choose from 'Absolutely oarsome...', 'Row, row, row the boat', 'Become a stowaway!', 'Feed the crew' and 'Bring us sunshine'.

Take a look (to the right or below) and see which appeal to you :).

THE STORY - In December 2022 five men will row across the Atlantic Ocean. They will be setting out on an adventure of a lifetime. Entering to compete in the world renowned Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge and to raise much needed funds for two charities delivering much needed mental health support: 

Body & Soul: a frontline charity that provides practical and therapeutic support for people of all ages who have experienced grave trauma in childhood; and

The Junction: a safe, friendly, confidential centre offering services and  support for young people in Edinburgh aged 12-21.

Cal, Alec, Ed, Matt and Sean are Atlantic Body and Soul

They met through Eastern Amateur Coastal Rowing Club, (Eastern) - a club all about collective responsibility, trust and balancing competitive team sport with adventure! Values which will definitely be brought to the challenge of crossing the Atlantic ocean this winter.

Read more about the journey here from Cal in the Edinburgh Evening News!

The challenge involves rowing 3000 miles non-stop - each crew member rowing 2 hours on, 2 hours off for as many days as it takes. To do this they need to raise funds to buy a boat to row in and to take part. This fundraising page aims to help them to that. Details of their fundraising goals are set out here - along with words of support from Jed Mercurio, Vicky McClure and Liz McColgan. The aim will be to raise a further £250k for their chosen charities.  Your support at this stage is crucial.

With so many people’s mental health battered by the raging storm of this pandemic, and so much wider attention on discord and difference, it’s fitting that Body & Soul and The Junction exist to build connection and find common ground. Building resilience and a sense of togetherness are going to be the very qualities that the Atlantic Body & Soul crew will need on their voyage.

Never Give Up.