City Lads Set For Epic 3,000-Mile Challenge

Atlantic row will raise cash for charities - but they need financial help

- Nino Robertson

A TEAM of young Plymouth men will take on one of the toughest feats in extreme sports this December by attempting to row across the Atlantic ocean.

They plan to start their voyage from the Canary Islands and, should all go to plan, they will arrive in Barbados within six weeks; an epic challenge of over 3,000 miles of unforgiving watery expanse, all without a supporting vessel.

But in order to attempt the 'Ocean Warrior Challenge' they must raise the required funds of £40,000 to hire their vessel. The surplus will go towards charity.

Each of their chosen charities, Macmillan Cancer Support, the Royal Marines Charity and the Mental Health Association, are close to their hearts.

Mitch Hutchcraft, a 28-year-old crewman, turned to Macmillan during his father's battle with cancer, while Conor Patterson, 26, has a navy background.

“It all started last year, says Conor. “A team of serving and ex-serving Royal Marines took on the challenge of Rowing the Atlantic Ocean. Through some friends of mine I was able to connect with these guys and they were looking for rowers, from there you are placed into a massive WhatsApp group, where essentially you assemble your crew and that is how I was introduced to the other guys”