Think about traveling across the most daunting ocean in the world, and doing so by rowing. That is what Adam Radcliffe and a crew of three other British men set out to do in the name of charity. Their goal is to raise more than $60,000 for a mental health charity that benefits the British Armed Forces community.

The Journey

The crew of the boat, aptly named United We Conquer, is attempting to set a world record by rowing 3,500 nautical miles across the North Atlantic. They row in 12-hour shifts, 24 hours a day, sleeping in just three-hour intervals. So far, they have battled scorching heat, storms, and even survived capsizing.

Despite the adversity, they have already made history by setting the record for the furthest distance ever rowed in 24 hours at more than 140 nautical miles.

Jack Jarvis, a veteran of 12 years in the British Army, knows the mission well. He currently holds the solo record for rowing across the Atlantic in 111 days. This journey is expected to take over 40 days for the four-man crew, three of whom served in the British military.

“We are a really aligned group doing this. I met some of them through my military service and I met Adam online.”  Jarvis told the BBC.

Why Get in the Boat?

So the big question is: why? What would make someone want to attempt such a grueling journey? The answer is a great challenge and an even greater cause.

“I felt most alive, loved my first row, and I love that battle where you test your mental fortitude. I really enjoy that. We are raising money for a great cause, which is close to my heart, being in the military, so that always helps,” Jarvis said in a YouTube video.

Radcliffe echoed the sentiment:

“This challenge has put death into perspective for me as well, but the reason I signed on and I am taking these decisions in my life is I do not want to leave lots of space on the table in terms of fulfilling my potential,” he told Fox News.

For the crew, the journey goes beyond the physical challenge. According to the team’s official fundraising website, nearly one veteran in the UK dies by suicide every day. The mission became even more personal when a close friend of one of the crew members, who served in Afghanistan, passed away earlier this year.

United We Conquer

Because of the crew’s military background, all funds raised will be donated to Heads Up, a non-profit dedicated to improving the mental health of UK veterans.

Throughout the voyage, Radcliffe has documented the journey on his YouTube channel, providing regular updates on the crew’s progress. They expect to reach land in the coming days, completing the journey of a lifetime while shattering world records.

If you would like to track their progress, you can do so here. To donate to the crew’s cause, click here.

The crew’s journey through fierce elements, towering swells, and dwindling rations shows us all that with a strong “why,” we can endure almost anything.

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