Foundation assists Row for the Ocean with new equipment

A funding grant from Exeter Foundation has helped Exeter based ocean rowing team Row for the Ocean with much needed funds for equipment to help them complete their mammoth journey to row across the Atlantic.

Row for the Ocean is an Exeter-based crew made up of four women, Ros, Kate and Kirsty and Laura. In December they will row 3000 miles from La Gomera, Canary Islands to Antigua as part of the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge 2018. Between them they have extensive rowing experience as Kate is current record holder for fastest gig crossing of the Channel, Laura has rowed around Great Britain and Kirsty and Ros have been competitive rowers for the past 4 years. The ladies are aiming to raise £50,000 for South-West Charity Surfers Against Sewage, and have helped set up the Plastic Free Exeter campaign.The Plastic Free Exeter campaign was set-up with other local volunteers in order to get Exeter to reduce its reliance on single-use plastics.

Kate, who works for the Met Office said ‘we want to do more than just raise money. We want to take action. Our row is a unique platform to raise awareness of the problem of single-use plastic and so we are working with businesses and community groups in Exeter to help them reduce their single-use plastic.’The team want to make Exeter the first Plastic Free City in the UK by 2019.

David Bird, trustee of the Exeter Foundation, said “The Exeter Foundation is delighted to be associated with such a great project. It will be fantastic to see the Foundation’s logo represented during the challenge and we fully support the causes the team are raising money for.”

Kirsty who lives and works in Exeter and plays for a local rugby team is particularly thrilled to have secured the grant from the Exeter Foundation, ‘This money allows us to purchase much needed vital safety equipment such as life jackets, harnesses, foul weather clothing as well as our oars and I will be so proud to wear the kit during the race and represent the Foundation on an international stage.’

When the team aren’t working they can be found training up to 6 times week. You can find them in Exeter’s David Lloyd doing weights, in the pool or on the rowing machine and when not in the gym they’re out on the water. They will be training on their boat out of Exmouth so keep your eyes peeled if you are on the beach!

If you’d like to follow the teams progress or help them achieve their fundraising target, you can follow them on social media or visit their website at www.rowfortheocean.co.uk.