A LOCAL former RAF navigator is to row 2,000 miles around the coastline of Great Britain to raise vital funds for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
Emma Wolstenholme, from Burnley, forms part of a crew of five called Sealegs, which is one of three teams taking part in the 2022 GB Row Challenge.
Beginning on June 12, Emma and her teammates from Sealegs will start their gruelling challenge at Tower Bridge in London.
They will have to battle tidal navigation, sea sickness, busy shipping lanes and the weather before arriving back at Tower Bridge once the challenge is complete.
Between them, the crew, which consists of Emma, Jason McKinlay, Sophie Harris, Chris Howard and Lamin Deen, will row continuously throughout the incredibly tough challenge, taking turns to row and rest.
Exiting the River Thames, teams travel clockwise round the south coast of England and Cornwall before turning North up past Wales, through the Irish Sea between the Isle of Man and island of Ireland, up round Scotland - between the Inner and Outer Hebrides - and past John O'Groats, before heading back south along the East Coast and re-entering the Thames.
The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, who Emma and her team are supporting, raises money to support The Royal Marsden, a world-leading cancer centre, with the funds raised by the crew supporting ground-breaking research that will transform the lives of cancer patients at The Royal Marsden and around the world.
Emma, who is also ambassador to the Air Cadets, said: “It’s going to be incredibly tough, but I’m up for the challenge. Most importantly, it’s a race with a purpose."
In addition to fundraising, the challenge will see all three crews undertake a collection of marine biology data.
GB Row Challenge is working with the University of Portsmouth to gather environmental samples and data for research into issues from marine biodiversity to microplastics in British waters.
Emma, who has previously taken on a solo row across the Atlantic continued: "We are determined to raise as much as possible for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity’s vital work to improve the lives of cancer patients around the world, while also raising awareness of the wonders of British waters and the need to protect them.”
Head of community fundraising at The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, Amy Mullins, said: “We are so grateful to Chris, Emma, Sophie, Lamin and Jason for taking on this epic feat of endurance in support of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, and we wish them the very best of luck.
"Their generous support will help to accelerate the translation of world-leading research into breakthroughs in the treatment and care of cancer patients, not only at The Royal Marsden, but worldwide.”
To support the team’s fundraising, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/teamsealegs
To track the team’s progress, visit: www.gbrowchallenge.com/tracker
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