An Oxford woman is preparing for an epic rowing challenge across the Atlantic, backed by one of the oldest family businesses in the country.
Grace Gilbert, 31, is hoping to raise a big sum for John Radcliffe Hospital Neurosciences Intensive Care Unit, where a family member was treated for a brain injury, as she takes on the 3,000-mile Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge in December.
Undertaking the challenge with Ms Gilbert, a chartered surveyor in Oxford, will be Maddie Difazio-Wright, 35, a brand manager in Bath and Grace Pybus, 32, a teacher based in Newport.
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The trio are pressing on with their final weeks of training as they look to become the first all-female team to make it past the finish line in one of the world’s toughest rowing challenges.
Ms Gilbert, a self-confessed ‘endurance nutter,’ has completed several Ironman Triathlons, climbed Kilimanjaro and cycled John O’Groats to Land’s End but prefers to be in the water rather than ‘on it.’
She said: “Up until a few weeks ago I had zero rowing experience so this will be a true test of my endurance.
"I hope what we are doing will inspire other women to say ‘yes’ to a challenge while raising awareness of causes close to our heart.”
The group have won support from breakfast manufacturer Mornflake, a family oat milling operation founded in Cheshire in 1675.
Ms Gilbert said: “It’s difficult getting corporate backing right now but Mornflake have been very generous providing cash support and their Mighty Oats breakfasts for the whole time we are at sea.
“We are thrilled to have them on board. Not only is their heritage wonderfully British and steeped in history, the family behind the brand have long championed healthy lifestyles and are true champions of sustainability.
“Their mill is powered by a wind and solar power, and they believe there is no excuse for waste. They recycle and reuse everything they can and any by-product of their oats is used as feed for local livestock."
The friends, who formed their team ‘Vibe the Wave’ after meeting on social media, will row three hours on, three hours off for between 40 and 50 days covering 3000 nautical miles of open ocean.
They are using a second-hand boat and will use only solar power for their batteries.
They will also collect ocean plastic along the way to highlight the issues surrounding climate change and ocean plastic pollution.
Their route from La Gomera to Antigua, the equivalent of 115 marathons, will be a test of their physical and mental resilience.
Mornflake managing director James Lea said: “It’s an incredibly brave and commendable effort to raise awareness of ocean protection and encourage people to live more sustainably.
“It’s important to us to us to work side by side with Mother Nature and keep the world the way it should be. So Vibe the Wave, we salute you. We will proudly chart your progress on the voyage.”
Vibe the Wave set sail from the Canary Island, La Gomera, on December 12.
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