Abraxas and the World’s Toughest Rowing Challenge 

Abraxas has frequently supported charity events and is proud to be sponsoring another event to come in December 2024. The World’s Toughest Row Challenge, the Talisker Whisky Challenge, across the Atlantic, will be undertaken by three intrepid paramedic students from the University of Bradford. Beginning in early December the race begins in the village of San Sebastian in La Gomera, Canary Islands and finishes in Nelson’s Dockyard, Antigua over 3,000 miles away.  

The three paramedics – known as Par-oar-medics on their website – are Ken Bordt, Tom Dowdy and Ethan Chapman and they have decided to take on the epic rowing challenge to raise money for three very worthy charities: MacMillan Cancer Support, Stroke Association UK and the Ambulance Staff Charity.

MacMillan Cancer Support 

Known for doing whatever it can to support those with cancer and their loved ones, the charity also raises money to fund cancer services, fund research and more. The charity is also there to support the care workforce who support those suffering from cancer.  

Stroke Association 

The Stroke Association works to support those who are survivors of strokes and their families, to fund research and to campaign for the rights of stroke survivors of all ages. They aim to help those affected by strokes to live fuller and happier lives.  

The Ambulance Staff Charity 

This charity works to provide a range of services to ambulance staff and their family members as well as volunteers and students within the service. They aim to support their mental health, financial wellbeing as well as any physical rehabilitation needed.  

The three intrepid paramedics previously took part in a challenge during lockdown when they repeatedly climbed flights of steps while carrying paramedic equipment on their backs, but the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge will be the toughest any of them have faced so far. The team will have to row more than 1.5 million oar strokes, burn over 5,000 calories per day and face waves of up to 20ft high to cross the Atlantic. Each team member will be rowing two hours on, and two hours off, for approximately 30 days and they will have to carry all their food and water.  

Abraxas is proud to be supporting the trio by paying for their training course at Aurora Sea School. The three intrepid crew are still looking to raise £100k, they have put down 10% for the boat but need to make up £60k to cover the rest of the cost. The boat will be sold after the race and the sale money added to the final donation to the charities.  

Please get in touch to find out how you could join Abraxas in supporting the race and its fundraising target.