Taking part in the Talisker Whisky Challenge in December 2021, with 60 days at sea, in a 25ft ocean rowing boat is the ultimate test of strength and endurance, so training makes up a key part of the team’s preparation for the race.

But they have also set themselves a target of raising £100,000 in aid of Cancer Research, Macmillan and The Royal Marsden as they row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic.

Taking our school motto – Hope Favours The Bold – to heart, they really need the support of the LEH community. When they asked for donations for their online raffle in last month’s newsletter, they were delighted by alumnae’s response.

Now the crew is offering you an opportunity to buy some raffle tickets. With 14 amazing prizes on offer, from a Dyson cordless vacuum, to Glossier beauty products and brewery tours – there is something for everyone!

The raffle closes this weekend - on Sunday 14 March - so please make sure to get your tickets before then. Click here to buy your tickets and support the crew.

In addition to fundraising activities, Abby and Charlotte are training six times a week, but with gyms still closed they have to be creative with their training. While Abby is lucky enough to have access to rowing machines and watt bikes, Charlotte has been wearing out her trainers and is running three times a week, with sessions varying from hill sprints to 15km long runs.

Another big part of ocean rowing is injury prevention, because when you are in the middle of the Atlantic and 1,500 miles from land there are no doctors or physios to help. Therefore, a big part of the team’s training programme is building strength in key areas such as lower back and shoulders to allow them to arrive in to Antigua injury free. So weights are being lifted in gardens and living rooms, and the team are spending a lot of time focusing on their mobility and core strength. Let’s hope it all pays off!

Kat has not been able to start her training yet because at the end of her chemotherapy treatment last year, doctors discovered a benign tumour on her heart. Thankfully Kat was operated on two weeks ago and is now on the road to recovery. She is slowly building back up with walking and some very light body movement exercises and is hoping to be back in gyms when they open on April 12th.

The three cancer charities and the crew, really do deserve our support, so please be sure to get some raffle tickets if you can. For more information about their bold endeavor and to see how else you can offer your support, please visit their website: We Are Extraoardinary - Atlantic Row 2021.

If the link for raffle tickets above, doesn't open, please use this one: https://raffall.com/204901/enter-raffle-to-win-extraoardinary-prizes-hosted-by-extraoardinary