A woman from Wistow is set to embark on an 'extraordinarily tough' rowing challenge around Great Britain to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK.
Kate Crosby, 59, is one of a team eight rowers from across the country that are aiming to be the first in history to complete a non-stop, anti-clockwise circumnavigation of Great Britain.
As well as raising money for charity, the ‘Counternavig8 GB’ crew of two men and six women are aiming to set a Guinness World Record for their ‘row against the flow’, while also conducting environmental research.
Kate, who rows with the Peterborough City Rowing Club at the weekend, said she had wanted to do something more "adventurous" after experiencing ocean rowing last year.
She said: “This epic challenge is a once in a lifetime opportunity to push myself to my physical and mental limits and support important causes at the same time.”
The crew will row as two shifts, for two hours on, two hours off, twenty-four hours a day, for an expected six weeks to complete the row, which will be fully unsupported and without touching land.
They will carry a water maker and all their own food, supplies and equipment for the for the duration.
The challenge, a row of nearly 2000 miles, is generally regarded as one of the toughest in the world and will begin on June 1 weather depending.
The prevailing British weather and complicated tidal patterns can make rowing around Great Britain even harder than rowing across an ocean.
Rowing anticlockwise adds even more difficulty and the team will face an ultimate test battling the elements, demanding not just strength and stamina, but endurance.
The crew's boat ‘Nanook’ is a 44ft long ocean rowing boat, supplied by Leven Brown Adventure, and has been built to withstand the toughest conditions.
When not rowing, the crew will spend time collecting data on any whales, dolphins and porpoises encountered during their row to support research being carried out by the Orca Charity.
Each crew member is raising funds to support a charity of their own choice and Kate chose Prostate Cancer UK following her husband's diagnosis.
She said: “Last year, my husband fought prostate cancer bravely, and that’s why I’m so passionate about raising funds for Prostate Cancer UK, as my chosen charity.
"It is the most common cause of cancer for men, and early detection and treatment is a lifesaver.
"In the UK, 1 in 8 men will get Prostate Cancer in their lifetime, and I want to make sure others get the support they need, just like he did.”
To make a donation, you can visit Kate's GoFundMe page.
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