A local business owner and father, Andrew Osborne (57), is rowing 3000 miles solo across the Atlantic Ocean to raise money for Cardiac Rick in the Young (CRY) to test young people and children for undiagnosed heart conditions. 

Andrew's daughter, Amy Osborne, died in her sleep five years ago from an undiagnosed heart condition at the age of 25. She became one of the 12 young people who die each week in the UK from this cause. Like Amy, 80% don't experience any symptoms. 

In her memory, the family set up the Amy Osborne Memorial Fund at CRY to help raise awareness and funds, to prevent this from happening to another family. The fund has so far raised enough money to pay for over 500 children and young adults to be screened as well as contribute funds towards research and raise awareness to help save lives. 

Amy's sisters, Sophie (31) and Jess (30) have tackled many of their own challenges to raise money for the charity, from the Great North Run to the 3 peaks, and more.

Now, Andrew is taking on an immense physical and mental challenge in memory of his daughter, who would have been 29, going on 30, this year. 

Andrew said: "I had to trump my daughters who have run marathons and done lots of mad things! I was going to sail it, but a good friend told me that would be a holiday so, after lots of red, we decided that I should row it – mind you, he might not be a good friend when I get back!"

Based in Wymondham, Andrew is running his own business, Oakham Home Improvements, while training for this incredible feat in the gym, on Rutland Water, and even in the North Sea.

The boat is 22 feet long with an 8 foot cabin that Andrew will live in (image courtesy of Andrew Osborne)

Andrew will be rowing the 3000 mile transatlantic route taken by Christopher Columbus, setting off from the Canaries and finishing in Antigua. He is expecting the row to take approximately 90 days, weather permitting.

He will be setting off in December – which is, apparently, not as mad as it sounds! 

Andrew explained: "December is the only time of year that you can go east to west using the trade current, and I've got to end up in the Caribbean before hurricane season, so I am hoping to finish at the end of March! 

"I'll be setting off from La Gomera in the Canaries and ending up in Antigua – hopefully in bar in English Harbour! If I miss it I hit Cuba, and if I miss that I hit Miami! I just hope that they let me in without a PCR test if the dreaded Covid breaks out again!"

Andrew has been connecting with Olympic gold medal winning rower James Cracknell, who is a patron of Amy's charity and completed the same challenge with broadcaster and adventurer Ben Fogle in 2006.

Andrew said: "James been a great help, and he is a patron of Amy's Charity. He and Ben Fogle did the same trip and he said that he realised within 48 hours of setting out that the mental challenge was going to be much greater than the physical. I will see no other human being, speak to no one for over three months. The mental isolation is something that you can't train for."

If this wasn't a large enough physical challenge though, to complicate things further, Andrew only has one finger on his left hand.

He laughed: "James Cracknell said that I would set off in Antigua and end up in Iceland!"

On top of the famous faces supporting Andrew, his family and friends have been a great support. 

Andrew said: "Although it is difficult to time exactly when I will finish, my family will be there when I arrive in Antigua. I keep asking: What would Amy think about this? She would laugh and she would then tell me to buckle up and get on with it and head for that drink in Antigua. She'd be at the bar waiting with a large gin and tonic. My other girls and my family and friends know this to be true."

Andrew has also had the support of four local and national companies, who helped raise the £120,000 for the boat, insurance, and other costs related to undertaking such a monumental journey. 

He said: "I would like to thank MHR International, The White Company, Charles Tyrwhitt Shirts, and Delancey for their support so far."

On top of this, Andrew has already raised a whopping £55,000 of his £100,000 target, with donations ranging from £5 to £5000. 

He added: "I know that times are hard, but no donation is too small. What is important is preventing another family from going through what we have. If we hit our £100,000 target, that will enable CRY and the team at St George's Hospital to test 1000 children. 

"My daughters, Sophie and Jess have already raised nearly £60,000, and out of the 501 children tested, 6 have been diagnosed and now have the lifesaving defibrillators needed.

"We also get to select where in the country the money and resources are used. We would like local children to be tested, especially those in state schools who might otherwise not have the opportunity."

The boat is incredibly technical and worth approximately £120,000 (image courtesy of Andrew Osborne)

Most row the Atlantic in teams, and just over 130 have attempted it solo, with approximately 90 completing it, so Andrew is facing a huge challenge, but remains undaunted.

He said: "A part of me is dreading it and wondering why I ever came up with such an idea, but mostly I am really looking forward to doing it. This will be a life changing challenge, and not just for me." 

Find out more about Andrew's upcoming challenge here.

Alternatively, donate by visiting Andrew's Just Giving page.

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