Worcester Buoys expect to raise £115k for hospice

The pair said the support they have received was "unbelievable"

Two men said they expect a 40-day Atlantic challenge to raise about £115,000 for a children’s hospice.

Matt Bladen, 27, and George Farmiloe, 26, from Worcester, rowed 3,000-mile (4,800 km) from the Canary Islands to Antigua.

The "Worcester Buoys" have raised about £85,000 in donations and believe they could raise a further £30,000 when they sell the boat they used.

“I was looking back at the footage for the first time the other day and it just filled me with adrenaline again," Mr Bladen said.

The "Worcester Buoys" had set themselves a fundraising target of £100,000

“There were a hundred highs and as many lows, but overall all it was an absolutely incredible experience," Mr Farmiloe added.

The pair said the high point of their challenge was seeing whales while the low was having to pause due to difficult weather conditions on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

• Listen on BBC Sounds as the "Worcester Buoys" reflect on World's Toughest Row

“The support we’ve had is unbelievable,” said Mr Bladen, who suffered from seasickness during the early stages of their journey.

He said he was initially sick every 20 minutes but medics advised them to continue in the hope the issue would reduce.

Another difficulty the duo overcame was a lack of sleep.

The men were welcomed by family members after arriving in Antigua

“In the middle of the day it was very hard to sleep. It was about 35 degrees outside and up to 50 degrees in the cabin," Mr Bladen explained.

“You get to a point in the middle of the day where you could not rest.”

They said they were spurred on by knowing how much support they have received and being kept updated about the fundraising total increasing.

Matt Bladen (left) and George Farmiloe set off on their challenge in December

They chose to raise money for Acorns Children's Hospice after the charity cared for one of Mr Bladen’s neighbours, 16-year-old Jack Dyer, who died in November 2020.

The teenager, who had cerebral palsy, was "loved by everyone who met him," the hospice said.

His parents flew to Antigua as a surprise and were part of the crowd welcoming the "Worcester Buoys" over the finish line in January.