TWO Christchurch rowers are to head a team that will try to row 3000 miles across the Atlantic.

The dedicated athletes have begun to fundraise to compete in The World's Toughest Row, a challenge which will see them row across the Atlantic in 60 days. 

Skipper Julie Eddicott 54, and Sally Percival Foy, 47, say they are two thirds of the way to raising the required funds to start the race but hope to also raise money for charity. 

Julie said: "This is my third year of trying to pull this together. It's a momentous task because there's so many things involved whether it's logistics, corporate sponsorship, arranging charities and getting the team sorted.

"Our whole campaign will cost around £100,000, which includes the boat. We are putting in a fair chunk to get us to the start line and the remainder comes from corporate sponsorship."

Judie and Sally have worked hard to keep their activities local, hoping to gain sponsor from local businesses while engaging with local schools and universities. 

Part of this has been their 'Name on the Boat' campaign which has been offered to school children.

Sally said: "We've got several schools that we talk to and if the children raise £30 they get their name on the boat. So far we have 50 names which is growing all the time. 

"It takes the pressure off when we know we have the amount to get to the start line and then we can get stuck into the charity fundraising."

While Julie noted the most asked question is 'where do you go to the toilet?', neither seemed phased with the idea of being stuck on a eight metre long boat for two months. 

Joined by rowing veteran Mary Sutherland and Ed Dewer, the Ebb and Flow team will start in December 2024 from Canary Island, La Gomera and finish in Antigua in January 2025. 

The team hopes to raise money for chosen charities, St. James Place Foundation, Blesna, and Ellen Macarthur Cancer Trust.

For more information or to sponsor visit Ebb and Flow's website.