Rowers' 71-day ocean challenge to benefit veterans

Jake Mattock, left, and Matthew Mason were part of the crew

A group of rowers overcame capsizing and equipment failures to complete a journey across the Indian Ocean in aid of veterans.

Matthew Mason, Matthew Inglesby, Matthew Hemmings and Jake Mattock undertook the mainland-to-mainland charity crossing in a traditional ocean rowing boat.

The group, who left Australia in May, recently landed in Kenya after the 71-day adventure of more than 3,600 nautical miles.

About £60,000 has been raised towards the University Hospitals Birmingham Charity, to support injured military personnel and their families.

Mr Mattock told BBC Midlands Today that the challenge, organised by Ocean Revival Adventures, was going relatively smoothly before they got to Madagascar.

Then their boat capsized and they also suffered various equipment failures, including losing their GPS and steering issues.

"That's where things started to turn and we had to go to plan B, plan C and, in some cases, plan D," he added.

Mr Mattock, who founded outdoors initiative The Adventure Antidote, said overcoming those difficulties was their biggest challenge.

"I was pretty scared after that and we were still in the middle of the ocean," he said.

"Help isn't that close if you need it."

Jake Mattock, left, said the crew faced some tough mental challenges

Mr Mattock said he decided to take part in the challenge because he became "sick of the same routine" and wanted to explore the world.

"I felt like I never really pushed myself enough to find out what I was capable of. I wanted to try a challenge I wasn't sure I'd be able to achieve," he said.

"To smash it throughout the 71 days and get to the finish line feels so good."

The money raised will be split between Fisher House, which offers a home away from home for injured military personnel and their families, and Diving with the Injured - a programme which takes wounded veterans on diving trips around the world.

Matthew Mason, Matthew Inglesby, Matthew Hemmings and Jake Mattock (from front to back of this photo) finished the crossing in Kenya

Mike Hammond, chief executive of the hospital charity, said they needed to raise about £300,000 a year to run Fisher House.

"It still means we've got a lot more money to raise every year but it's an amazing achievement by Jake and the Matts," he said.