I'm a serving British soldier, who, on Thursday 24th March became the first person in history to row from mainland Europe to mainland North America, solo and completely unsupported. 

The whole journey was around 4,600 nautical miles, and having departed from Portugal on Friday 3rd December, I was at sea, alone for a total of 111 days, rowing an average of 40 miles every single
day.

I chose to fund-raise for brainstrust as it's a charity very close to my heart. My grandfather sadly passed away from a brain tumour in 2007 and he was the inspiration for this challenge. Brain tumours can affect anyone at any age but kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other form of cancer. Despite this, just 2% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease. 

Will Jones, CEO of brainstrust, said: “This record setting row shows what can be possible when you have the spirit, determination, and belief that something can be achieved. All impactful charities are born of an indomitable strength of belief that a wrong can be righted. Jack has inspired us all at brainstrust, and in the brain tumour community. He has given us resolve in our belief that if we lean in, keep working hard and look out for one another that every day lived with a
brain tumour can be a day well-lived. Jack - thank you for your support, for taking brainstrust on your journey and for smashing this record with the brain tumour community front and centre. We are proud of you, and we hope Budgie, wherever he is, will be too. Every penny raised by this incredible mission will go towards helping people with a brain tumour to be less alone, less afraid and more in control and to give them the spirit and strength of belief that every day lived can be the best day possible.”

I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has donated, no matter or big or small. My original target was £50,000 and I'm over the moon to have comfortably surpassed it and I now look forward to raising as much as I can for this fantastic cause.

Thanks everyone!