Words by Smiley Team
Four working mums are taking on ‘The World’s Toughest Row’ – rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean – to inspire other women and girls to dream big.
The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge 2021 brings together teams from all walks of life, united by the same objective: to take on the unique challenge of crossing an ocean in a rowing boat.
Teams battle with sleep deprivation, salt sores, and physical extremes inflicted by the race – and will need to consume 4,500 calories a day, and poo in a bucket.
Setting off in December 2021, the journey spans San Sebastian, La Gomera, and the Canary Islands, to Nelson’s Dockyard, Antigua and Barbuda.
The women will be rowing for two hours, followed by two hours resting, day and night, for more than 40 consecutive days at sea. It also means they’ll be leaving their combined 11 children behind for around two months, as they battle 30 foot waves and the Atlantic’s icy waters.
(This sports charity is looking for challengers)
Talking about how their team – The Mothership – came about, Lebby Eyres tells Smiley News: “Pippa Edwards, 43, our skipper, watched her husband come in in Antigua in 2020 and was inspired to form a crew, asking her sister Felicity Ashley, 45, to join. Jo Blackshaw, 48, was the next recruit and I was the final member of the crew to join after someone dropped out in June. It was too great an opportunity for me - aged 50 - to pass up.
"I'm a masters rower, so reasonably fit, and for the past decade have mixed marathon walking with raising money for charity. There is nothing I like better than to do an extremely hard task while simultaneously raising money for good causes.”
Despite Lebby’s rowing expertise, she still feels trepidation. “I’m worried about capsizing and the boat not self-righting, which it is supposed to do," she says. "I’ll also hate waking up four to six times a day for our two hour rowing shift!"
The women are fundraising for three brilliant charities who provide vital support to families when they need it most, aiming to raise £20,000 in total.
The Felix Fund helps bomb disposal personnel and their families who have suffered as a result of the work they do - supporting with welfare initiatives and financial support.
Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice helps seriously unwell children and their families make the most of the special time they have together, through clinical, practical and emotional support.
(Read about how this man’s solo 24 hour row broke the world record for charity)
Women in Sport was set up to give every woman and girl the opportunity to take part in sport, and inspire them to do so.
“We want to show those closest to us - our kids - that it is not just dads who get to go on adventures," says Lebby. "Being a mum not only shouldn’t hold you back, but it can also give you the skills and resilience you need to do a challenge like this.”
They’re juggling careers, families and an epic adventure - and you can still support The Mothership in their fundraising effort, and follow their updates.
