EDIT - WE MOVED THIS FUNDRAISER ELSEWHERE. All funds were forwarded, and we have since completed our expedition and goal!

So, we're rowing across the Atlantic Ocean, unsupported, with no engine.

It'll take almost 2 months. 2 hours rowing. 2 hours rest and recover. Then 2 hours rowing again. And 2 hours resting. All day and all night. And repeating that for 6 or 7 weeks.

WHY?

We're raising funds and awareness for:

1) HUMEN - a movement to improve and maintain men’s mental health. In a time when mental health seems to be worsening, and with men less likely to open up to reality, it's time to help out. So let's do just that. The male suicide statistics make for grim reading. Working as a team, pushing oneself, and connecting with each other has never been more important. We plan to do that on the row, and we hope to help others do that through HUMEN, as a product of our fundraising.

2) Dean Farm Trust - An animal sanctuary for rescured animals, promoting cruelty-free life choices. We are a 100% meat-free, plant-powered boat. I love it. If you too love animals, help us spread the message!

FUNDRAISING

First and foremost we need to get the boat to the start-line. Martin and myself joined late, which means we are $20k in the red in terms of fundraising. Once we raise that we can the on raising big 6 figure goal I chat about below.

The team at Monkey Fist Adventures have set a HUGE charitable goal of almost $250kUSD (that's a quarter of a million dollars, or 200kGBP!). Running expeditions like this run at almost $100k. Thankfully, through corporate sponsorship, we've almost covered all those costs.

We need to finish that and more importantly strive towards the bigger goals and make a real difference. I hope we can start with 20kGBP. Then, let's see. I (Johnny) am legitimately terrified of this challenge. I'm a weak swimmer, I've never been in a boat in my life, and I quite like personal space. Time to say goodbye to all of that for a while.

WHO?

Billy Taylor: The skipper, and the boss, and one of the founers of Monkey Fist Adventures . A veteran of crossing oceans, and a campaigner for Parkinson's. He's, amazingly, rowed the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans. He's basically our lifeline!

BILLY'S INSTAGRAM

Matthew Pritchard: Brits may remember him as one of the crew from Dirty Sanchez, or on BBC as The Dirty Vegan '. He's not a fitness beast, and he's no doubt going to be our engine.

MATT'S INSTAGRAM

Martin Heseltine: Martin has spent his life on the ocean, and has more experience with all things water-based than I do with pretty much anything. At 61, he'll be our wisdom

MARTIN'S INSTAGRAM

And me, Johnny, a blogger at OneStep4Ward.com . God knows what I offer. Stubbornness?

MY INSTAGRAM

So, please, if you can afford to help 2 hugely worthy causes, it'd be hugely appreciated. We're going to be suffering, but having your support will make it all worthwhile. And thank you. From Lanzarote to Antigua, with love. And some bum blisters along the way no doubt.