**UPDATE

Success! On 31st January 2024, I rowed into English Harbour, Antigua, 49 days after leaving La Gomera in mid December 2023. It was an incredibly emotional moment as the realisation sunk in that I had finished – reunited with family, no more rowing, no more cat-napping in a cuckoo clock! (If you followed my story on social media you'll understand the reference!), no more dampness, but clean sheets and fresh food ... served on a plate!

I can't begin to tell you how much the messages of support from family, friends and people I've never met, kept me going in my darkest of hours, as did the rising balance here on Givewheel ... Thank you for continuing to visit my page and pledge a donation ... large or small, it all makes a difference!

Original Text
In December I shall set off in my rowing boat (Polly Anne) from La Gomera, Canary Islands, to row 3000 miles across the Atlantic to Antigua, carrying all my supplies, as a solo entry in the World’s Toughest Row.

I hear you ask -Why? Well, that is an excellent question, with many answers! Throughout life I have been lucky enough to have great friends, travelling the world with one, setting up businesses with others and marrying my best friend of all, but now I need to challenge myself to undertake this huge mental and physical challenge with only my own tenacity to rely on. It may seem an extreme way to find some solitude, but the places where we can be truly alone and veritably challenged are fewer and further between these days.

The entire process takes me right out of my comfort zone in so many ways, most notably Lycra, the gym and social media! Which can I avoid? Hopefully the first two, but I am dragging myself into the 21st century and learning to embrace social media.

I may be alone on the boat, but I am incredibly lucky to have family, friends and colleagues who have lent their help and support in getting me to the starting line. Between us we hope to raise awareness and significant funds for 3 charities whose work helps to improve the relationship between humans and our environment – I would like to think that when my time is up, the tide will have turned, and planet Earth will have a slightly brighter future.

By contributing here, you will be helping us in our endeavour to raise funds for all three charities to continue – and potentially expand - their valuable work.

Thank you very much.

Henry & family