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Indian Ocean · Unsupported · May 2028

Four men.One boat.3,700 milesof ocean.

In May 2028 four men will row from Geraldton in Western Australia to Grand Baie in Mauritius with no support boat. We're rowing in memory of Barney and raising £250,000 for three charities.

Donate Sponsor the row
Planned route: 3,700 miles west across the Indian Ocean, from Geraldton in Western Australia to Grand Baie in Mauritius
Planned routeWestbound · 65 to 80 days
  • 1Boat
  • 4Rowers
  • 3,700Miles
  • 65to80Days at sea
  • 3Charities
  • £250KTarget

01The challenge

No support boat.No shortcuts.No stopping.

Three years of preparation come down to this: four of us, one 9.24 metre ocean rowing boat and 3,700 miles of the Indian Ocean between Australia and Mauritius.

We'll row around the clock in two-hour shifts for an expected 65 to 80 days. Everything we need comes with us. Nobody follows us with supplies.

Why go this far? Because £250,000 is a serious target and a target that big deserves a challenge to match.

Life on board

  • 2 on, 2 off

    Two hours rowing, two hours resting, day and night for the whole crossing.

  • 90 minutes

    The longest sleep anyone is likely to get at one time.

  • 10,000

    Calories a day each of us may need to keep going.

  • 40°C

    And above: the heat on deck, with nowhere to hide from the sun.

  • 20%

    Of our body weight: what each of us could lose by the finish.

  • 1 bucket

    Freeze-dried food, drinking water made from seawater and a bucket for a toilet.

Four rowers holding pink flares aloft on their ocean rowing boat as they arrive in a marina in Antigua
Antigua, 2024Arriving at the end of the Atlantic crossing. Next stop: Mauritius.

02The name

WhyBarney's Boys?

Barney was Rod's son. He died of meningitis in 2005, when he was just three years old.

Raising awareness of meningitis has been part of Rod's life ever since. Barney's Boys was formed in his memory. Everything we do is dedicated to him.

That's why we're raising money for Meningitis Now and Get A-Head in Barney's name, alongside The Veterans Charity.

“Every mile we row, every pound raised, keeps his memory alive.”

The crew

03The crew

The men in the boat.

Three of us have already rowed the Atlantic. Two of us serve in the RAF Regiment. One is a turkey farmer from Solihull who never misses a chance to remind the others he was faster.

04The boat

Meet Odyssey.

Our home for up to 80 days: a 9.24 metre ocean rowing boat that the four of us will live, row, eat and sleep aboard. Its hull, cabins and oars carry our partners' names across the ocean.

Odyssey on her trailer with two pairs of oars crossed in front, the Meningitis Now, Get A-Head and Veterans Charity logos on her hull
Odyssey todayThe three charities already ride on her hull.
Where sponsors' branding goes on Odyssey A side view of the boat. Gold partners take both cabin sides, Silver the front of the hull, Bronze the back of the hull and The Club Deck the middle of the hull. The Oars Are Yours partners take the oars. Gold Gold Silver Club Deck Bronze

Illustration based on the crew's sponsorship pack. Exact positions are agreed with each partner.

Length9.24 m
Crew4
Cabins2
Support boatNone

05The cause

£250,000 forthree charities.

Every donation goes through GiveWheel straight to the three charities, in a fixed split. UK taxpayers can add Gift Aid.

  • Meningitis Now

    The UK's leading meningitis charity, saving lives and rebuilding futures through research, awareness and support for everyone affected.

    Registered charity 803016 · SC037790
  • Get A-Head

    Fighting head and neck cancer for more than 30 years by funding research, specialist equipment and support for patients and their carers.

    Registered charity 1118326
  • The Veterans Charity

    Fast, practical help for UK veterans facing hardship: food, utilities, clothing and the everyday essentials, when they're needed most.

    Registered charity 1123149

Give a mile

About £68 rows us one mile closer.

£250,000 over 3,700 miles works out at about £68 a mile. Pick an amount and it's filled in for you on GiveWheel.

About the three charities
1 mile£68 5 miles£340 10 miles£680 Your choiceAny amount

06Partners

Put your brand on the Indian Ocean.

Five packages from £2,500 to £30,000, with branding on the boat, the oars and the crew kit, followed live from launch to landfall.

07Follow the row

Follow every stroke.

From launch day you'll be able to track Odyssey live: where the boat is, the miles behind us and news from the crew. Until then, follow the training on Instagram and Facebook.

550days until 1 May 2028. We set off that month.
How to follow the row

Back the crew.

Every mile we row raises money for three charities. Give a mile or put your brand on the boat.

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