THREE student paramedics are planning to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic to raise money for charity.
The team - known as Par-Oar-Medics from the University of Bradford consists of third-year students Ken Bordt, Tom Dowdy and Ethan Chapman.
They decided to take on the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge- officially known as the world’s toughest row - to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, Stroke Association, and the Ambulance Staff Charity.
They are currently looking for sponsors through their website: Paroarmedics.com.
The trio, all of whom have just completed their sandwich year as part of a four-year paramedic degree, will begin their challenge in December 2024 from La Gomera in the Canary Islands and end in Antigua. Between now and then, they have to canvas support, find sponsors, and raise enough money to buy a boat in which to compete.
Former chef Ken, 40, originally from Zimbabwe, has previously taught scuba diving in Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia but has almost no experience in rowing.
- Join our new Bradford Out & About Facebook page to keep up with all the latest events and share the best places to go and things to do in and around the district
He said: “I have always had a great affinity for the ocean, I lived by the sea for a long time and I have long harboured an ambition to take on a challenge that involves the ocean. I originally began researching sailing around the world but stumbled on the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge and I was hooked.
“I then had to find two other people mad enough to do the challenge with me - luckily, Tom and Ethan took about two minutes to come on board with the idea.”
Tom, 24, said: “I’ve taken part in a number of strange events in my life, including completing the Yorkshire Three Peaks while carrying a double bass, I’ve done some ice climbing and I once cycled from London to Santander, but this will be by far the most bonkers thing I have ever done. The fact fewer people have completed this challenge than have climbed Everest just makes it more appealing, not to mention scary.”
Ethan, 21, from Lancaster, said: “In a way, it doesn’t seem real yet, and we’re aware it will be difficult to train at the same time as entering our final year, but we are all up for the challenge.”
The trio will be rowing for two hours on and two hours off for 30 days.
The three previously took part in a challenge during lockdown in which they repeatedly climbed flights of steps while carrying paramedic equipment on their backs.
Since 2012, the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge has been organised by Atlantic Campaigns and is now the world’s safest and most successful ocean rowing race.
Have you got a story for us? Email newsdesk@telegraphandargus.co.uk or contact us here.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.
Sign up to our newsl
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here