Proud sponsors of Team Wild Waves
28 January 2022
The Symondson Foundation was proud to sponsor team Wild Waves in their record-breaking row across the Atlantic Ocean, raising money for Shelter and Women’s Aid.
With no prior ocean rowing or even regular rowing experience, Jessica Oliver and Charlotte Harris set a new world record in their 3000 mile row as a part of the Talisker Whiskey Challenge. Their 45 day slog in their boat, ‘Cosimo’, beat the previous world record for women’s pairs by 5 days. The pair joined 35 other teams taking part in the competition, setting off from La Gomera in the Canary Islands on the 12th December. Rowing to a regimen of 2 hours on, 2 hours off, they finished their crossing on the 26th January, arriving exhausted but exhilarated at the Caribbean island of Antigua.
“The race was long and absolutely brutal but well worth it. The support we got on social media from friends and family, and the generous donations being made, spurred us on,” said Jessica.
As well as breaking a world record, the two women raised £42,000 for two brilliant charities doing critical work. The spike in domestic violence cases in the nation’s lockdowns has been well documented. Women’s Aid provides life-saving support to women and children who are victims of domestic abuse, and work tirelessly towards creating a violence-free future. As the cost of living soars, the breadth and depth of the housing emergency seems desperately inevitable, making the work that Shelter does ever more vital for those without safe, sanitary, or stable housing.
To have raised such a significant sum whilst mastering the adversity of the Atlantic Ocean is truly inspirational, and we are in awe of Jessica and Charlotte’s feat.
Website: www.thewaverowing.com/teamwildwaves
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