Former Crewe woman to take part in gruelling race rowing 3,000 miles across Atlantic
By Deborah Bowyer
9th Jul 2024 | Local News
A former Crewe woman is taking part in a gruelling 3,000 mile race across the Atlantic to support mental health and veterans.
Deborah Cope, who grew up in Crewe, is one of the four taking part in Ocean Empower Atlantic Row 2024 and took time out to take the boat to the car park an Alsager medical practice yesterday (Monday).
In December, Deborah and the three other members of the team will set off from La Gomera in Tenerife for the 3,000 miles across the sea to Antigua in the Caribbean.
The team has launched an 'empowered faces' campaign to be placed in a wrap on the boat and these faces will be travelling across the Atlantic with the four women.
Included in this is Sandbach soldier, Jordan Gatley, who sadly died fighting against Russian forces in the war in Ukraine as sister site, Sandbach Nub News revealed here will be part of that. Jordan, 24, went to Sandbach School with Deborah's son.
Practice manager at Merepark Medical Centre Denise Smith, who is coordinating the marketing campaign for Ocean Enpower Atlantic Row said: "We're delighted to be involved with this campaign, highlighting the importance of supporting veterans and looking after our well-being.
"We have a passion for well-being and mental health and know how important these both are to our work."
Deborah, 46, who grew up in Valley Road, Crewe and went to school in the town, is busy practising for the gruelling race which will see her and the other three members of the crew take it in turns to row their way across the Atlantic.
"Jordan Sandbach School with my son and was such a wonderful person. We've also got all sorts of ideas for afterwards, including taking our story into schools," said Deborah.
The race will take its toll on those taking part, both physically and mentally and the rowers must battle everything from rough seas to sleep deprivation as they spend weeks on end at sea.
The group has set up a GoFund me page here and have charted just how tough it will be.
"The challenge is gruelling, both physically and mentally and the rowers must battle everything from rough seas to sleep deprivation as they spend weeks on end at sea," they say.
"Just to get to the start line will cost the team more than £100,000. To help us reach this target and join us on this incredible journey, we are asking sponsors to donate generously to our effort.
"Their sponsorship will also help us to raise awareness and dedicate more time to raising funds for the three incredible charities we are supporting."
Deborah says she was inspired to take part in the challenge following the death of a friend who she nursed through Covid.
"We watched a video on the race and I was just so inspired by what we saw. I knew I had to take part," said Deborah who runs a beauty business and is in the process of moving to the Peak District.
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