Vessel taking part in gruelling Atlantic race 'rows' into Alsager to raise awareness
Visitors to an Alsager medical practice got the chance to see a boat which is taking part in a gruelling race across the Atlantic - raising awareness for mental health and to support veterans.
Deborah Cope, who grew up in Crewe, is one of the four taking part in Ocean Empower Atlantic Row 2024 and took time out to take the boat to the car park at Merepark Medical Centre.
In December, Deborah and the three other members of the team will set off from La Gomera in Tenerife for the 3,000 miles across the sea to Antigua in the Caribbean.
The team has launched an 'empowered faces campaign' to be placed on a wrap on the boat and Jordan will be part of this - sailing across the Atlantic with the four women.
And among the faces will Sandbach's Jordan Gatley - the 24-year-old British soldier who died fighting alongside the Ukrainian forces against Russian invaders as we revealed here
Practice manager at Merepark Medical Centre Denise Smith, who is coordinating the marketing campaign for Ocean Enpower Atlantic Row said: "We're delighted to be involved with this campaign, highlighting the importance of supporting veterans and looking after our well-being.
"We have a passion for well-being and mental health and know how important these both are to our work."
Deborah, 46, who grew up in Valley Road, Crewe and went to school in the town, is busy practising for the gruelling race which will see her and the other three members of the crew take it in turns to row their way across the Atlantic.
"Jordan Gatley went to Sandbach School with my son and was such a wonderful person. We've also got all sorts of ideas for afterwards, including taking our story into schools."
The race will take its toll on those taking part, both physically and mentally and the rowers must battle everything from rough seas to sleep deprivation as they spend weeks on end at sea.
The group has set up a GoFund me page here and have charted just how tough it will be.
"The challenge is gruelling, both physically and mentally and the rowers must battle everything from rough seas to sleep deprivation as they spend weeks on end at sea," they say.
"Just to get to the start line will cost the team more than £100,000. To help us reach this target and join us on this incredible journey, we are asking sponsors to donate generously to our effort.
"Their sponsorship will also help us to raise awareness and dedicate more time to raising funds for the three incredible charities we are supporting."
Deborah says she was inspired to take part in the challenge following the death of a friend who she nursed through Covid.
"We watched a video on the race and I was just so inspired by what we saw. I knew I had to take part," said Deborah who runs a beauty business and is in the process of moving to the Peak District.
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