Shropshire rowers cover more than 250 miles of Atlantic trip
They have fought seasickness and crashing waves – but two rowers from Shropshire have already covered more than 250 miles of their marathon trip across the Atlantic Ocean.
Harry Martin-Dreyer and Alex Bland have endured a tough start to their 3,000-mile journey – including being swept off their seats several times in rough seas.
But have said weather conditions are now improving and helping them to make significant progress.
The pair are now in their sixth day of rowing since leaving Gran Canaria last week. They are aiming to reach Barbados in a bid to raise more than £125,000 for charity.
Mr Martin-Dreyer and Mr Bland, who have been keeping people updated with their efforts via Twitter, said on Saturday they had been left seasick and tired as they dealt with big waves, but were pleased to finally be on their way after almost two weeks of delays to setting off due to poor weather.
And on Sunday, the pair's Rowing 4 Research Twitter account revealed their had been swept off their seats "multiple times by crashing waves" but added the weather was starting to improve.
By Monday afternoon, the pair had already made good progress – covering around 268 miles of open sea so far.
"The winds have changed in our favour and the sea is now following," one of the latest updates says.
The boys are rowing alternately on two hour shifts for 24 hours a day, with the challenge expected to last for about three months.
They have already raised £127,153 for two charities – Cure Leukaemia, and JDRF, a type 1 diabetes research charity – and are hoping more money will come in as they undertake their trip.
The charities provided support to Harry's mother Alexandra, who died in March as a result of complications in her leukaemia treatment, and also help Alex's brother, Ross, who has type one diabetes.
And in tribute to Harry's late mother, the boat they are travelling in has been named Alexandra.
Alex, who is originally from Cound, near Shrewsbury, and Harry, from Lyneal, near Ellesmere, first met at Shrewsbury School and decided to take on the challenge while both working in London.
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