Friends’ Atlantic challenge in support of Myton Hospices

Atlantic rowers Lauren Morton and Hannah Lawton.

Hannah Lawton and Lauren Morton will be rowing 2,900 miles across the Atlantic to raise money in memory of their friend Eleanor Rose Ellis who lost her battle with cancer last year.

Eleanor, who was just 23, was cared for at the charity’s Warwick Hospice and the rowers are aiming to raise £100,000 to be shared between Myton and Jo’s Cervical Cancer trust.

The route which begins in La Gomera, Tenerife, and finishes at the English Harbour, Antigua, is considered one of the toughest challenges in the world.

Hannah and Lauren are hoping to complete the route in just over 75 days – breaking the 2007 record.

If they do this they will become the youngest women to row the Atlantic.

The pair are currently studying at the University of the West of England in Bristol and were inspired to take on the challenge by Eleanor.

They have named their team Inspirational Friends in her memory.

Hannah said: “It was the way she faced her illness and knowing that she was going to go the way she was.

“She was a happy go lucky kind of person and it kind of inspired us to go and do it.”

During their trip the young women will be rowing around the clock in two-hour shifts and will have only a small cabin in their seven metre boat to protect them from severe weather conditions.

Hannah added: “The sleep deprivation, being tired and trying to function properly will be hard.

“Everyone I’ve spoken to says the hallucinations at night are one of the worst things.”

Myton’s Challenge Events coordinator Beth Nicholson said: “We wish Hannah and Lauren the best of luck for their extraordinary trip and their dreams of breaking the record.

“We are very grateful for all their support and hope they have a wonderful and safe adventure and raise lots of money for Myton.”

Each year The Myton Hospices care for more than 2,000 people who are living or coping with a terminal illness across Coventry and Warwickshire.

To find out more about the Myton Hospices visit www.mytonhospice.org and to sponsor the duo and track their progress visit www.insfriends.org.uk