Your friends are fundraising. Don't miss out, opt in.

We did it!

Emma Wolstenholme raised £11,856.3 from 231 supporters

or

Start your own crowdfunding page

Closed 01/06/2022

0%
£11,856
raised of £100,000 target by 231 supporters

    Weʼve raised £11,856 to support the Air Cadets by rowing solo & unsupported across the Atlantic, inspiring young people through adventure and STEM.

    Funded on Wednesday, 1st June 2022

    Don't have time to donate right now?

    Story

    The Air Cadets need as much support as they can get, with COVID preventing tens of thousands of youths from meeting in person across the UK. 'Town nights' are now conducted online via Zoom or Skype calls (if the cadet has access to the internet!) - resulting in many youths leaving the organisation. I hope to raise awareness of everything the Air Cadets has to offer - from flying in a Grob Tutor to learning how to map read for a Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition...you could even get a BTEC along the way!

    If you're a fan of aviation, action and adventure, love sports and getting to know people then you'd absolutely love the Air Cadets. Every year nearly 56,000 air cadets and volunteer staff take part in exciting events all over the country. And with over 1,000 squadrons across the UK, you could be one of them - either as a cadet, or an adult volunteer (depending on your age!).

    So what exactly am I doing? I'm going to travel the UK (when COVID restrictions allow) with my ocean rowing boat, talking to Air Cadet squadrons about my planned 3000 nautical mile solo row across the Atlantic. I'm aiming to break the World Record along the way (currently 49 days, 7 hours and 15 minutes), and I'll leave at the end of the 80th Anniversary, having completed a year of fundraising. My aim is to leave the Canary Islands in Jan/Feb 2022 (depending on the weather window) and row 3000nm to Barbados. In the process, I aim to raise £80,000 - 100% of the money you donate will go to the Air Cadets.

    Why the Air Cadets? When I found out it was the RAF Air Cadets' 80th Anniversary in 2021, I realised that I wanted to give something back to the organisation that had shaped my life and got me where I am today. I grew up in Burnley - one of the poorer areas of Lancashire - and if it hadn't been for the adventurous training, self-discipline, teamwork and leadership development the Air Cadets gave me, I wouldn't have joined the Royal Air Force and I wouldn't have had such amazing adventures along the way. The self-confidence and competitive spirit that was instilled in me saw me go on to become a Squadron Leader Training Officer, compete for Great Britain in the Europa Cup at Skeleton Bobsleigh and complete tours of Afghanistan and the Middle East.

    I want to spread the word about what Air Cadets can offer you/your family and I hope to travel the UK with my ocean rowing boat and talk to Air Cadets about adventure, using my ocean rowing expedition as a tool to teach Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects.

    Follow my progress and adventure on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoloAtlanticRow

    Updates

    12

    • Emma Wolstenholme2 years ago
      Emma Wolstenholme

      Emma Wolstenholme

      2 years ago

      Wow! I’m almost on dry land (not quite, I’m still onboard the Petrel Arrow, bound for Vlissingen), and I have a weak 4G signal so I hope this posts! I can’t believe the total amount raised is still going up! That is absolutely incredible, thank you everyone for your support, especially in light of my electrical failure at sea and subsequent rescue…the crew keep referring to me as ‘the Survivor’, which feels very odd. But I guess I am! I’ll post more about my cargo ship adventure once I’m back in the UK, but for now - a huge THANK YOU!!!! xx

      Update from the Page owner

      Share this update to help us raise more

    • Emma Wolstenholme2 years ago
      Emma Wolstenholme

      Emma Wolstenholme

      2 years ago

      Had a great ‘shake down’ row today - made sure everything worked and I’m pleased to say…it did!

      Update from the Page owner

      Share this update to help us raise more

    • Emma Wolstenholme2 years ago
      Emma Wolstenholme

      Emma Wolstenholme

      2 years ago

      I should have said that, between the 3 sponsors highlighted in my previous updates below, that brings an additional £75,000 to the fundraising effort…it would be just awesome for the Air Cadets if the current £81,000 was increased to £100,000 by the time I get to Barbados… 🙏🤞🌊🚣‍♀️🌊 To everyone that has sponsored and will sponsor while I’m rowing (and therefore I can’t say thanks), THANK YOU!!! You are making a huge difference to the lives of so many young women and men. 🤩🌊🚣‍♀️🌊

      Share this update to help us raise more

    3 years ago

    Emma Wolstenholme started crowdfunding

    Leave a message of support

    Page last updated on: 4/15/2022 15.06

    Supporters

    231

    • Thorney

      Thorney

      Apr 15, 2022

      I guess i'm better late than never lol! Well done for all your efforts in tackling the challenge and for fundraising for the Cadets, whilst also raising their profile.

      £25.00

    • Belinda and Stephen

      Belinda and Stephen

      Mar 6, 2022

      Pleased you are back safe!

      £25.00

    • Wendy and Dai

      Wendy and Dai

      Feb 28, 2022

      You should be very proud of all you have achieved so far. It took real courage to set out on this trip, but it took even more to call a halt when you did. Well done Emma!

      £40.00

    • Maddie

      Maddie

      Feb 24, 2022

      Amazing work! And great plane stories 😄

      £20.00

    • Cathy Watson

      Cathy Watson

      Feb 24, 2022

      You are amazing !!!! ❤️

      £40.00

    • Charlie Logan

      Charlie Logan

      Feb 24, 2022

      Well done Emma! Lots of money raised for a brilliant cause

      £20.00

    • Anna Graham

      Anna Graham

      Feb 24, 2022

      I'm in awe of this challenge. Even just attempting it is something barely any of us would contemplate!Well done!

      £10.00

    What is crowdfunding?

    Crowdfunding is a new type of fundraising where you can raise funds for your own personal cause, even if you're not a registered charity.

    The page owner is responsible for the distribution of funds raised.

    Great people make things happen

    Do you know anyone in need or maybe want to help a local community cause?

    Create you own page and donʼt let that cause go unfunded!

    About Crowdfunding
    About the fundraiser
    Emma Wolstenholme

    Emma Wolstenholme

    Emma was a cadet with 352 (Burnley) Air Training Corps. She then joined the University Air Squadron and immediately after graduating, joined the Royal Air Force. Recently retired after 16 yrs in the RAF, she is focussed on rowing solo across the Atlantic, East to West, Jan 22.

    Report this Page