A former Saffron Walden student who grew up in Great Bardfield is taking part in 'the world's toughest row' across the Atlantic for charity.
Hatty Carder, who graduated from Saffron Walden County High School in 2010, is rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean with her work colleagues Bobbie Mellor and Katherine Antrobus.
The three women, who call themselves 'The WaveBreakers', all work at Vodafone, which has a foundation that put out a call for employees to apply for the challenge.
They set out on their epic voyage from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Nelson's Dockyard in Antigua on Wednesday, December 13, with family, friends and onlookers cheering them on.
Hatty said: "From strangers, to colleagues, to great friends, we started our journey by filling in an application form for Vodafone Foundation’s call for The World Atlantic Crossing.
"After interviews, selection processes and testing, we formed WaveBreakers.
"United by our passion for our beautiful planet, we’re fundraising to support two charities, Refugees and WWF that are protecting those on the frontlines of climate crisis."
The WaveBreakers will spend 55 days at sea in a 28-feet boat, competing alongside 40 to 50 teams from around the world as only the 37th all-female crew to row the Atlantic.
While at sea, the trio has faced numerous challenges - with Hatty and Katherine both suffering from seasickness and Bobbie's legs battered by the oar handles smashing into them.
They had to put out their para-anchor (a parachute system used to anchor a boat in deep water) after strong winds and currents meant they could not turn the boat around.
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The boat then capsized, which the girls were prepared for and dealt with thanks to their training.
To donate to the group go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/wavebreakers2023.
Money raised will go towards charities protecting those at the frontline of the climate crisis - vulnerable animal species and refugees forced to leave their homes.
To follow the WaveBreakers' journey you can download the YB app - which tracks live yacht racing - and follow 'World's Toughest Atlantic Row'.
You can also follow @wavebreakers2023 and @worlds.toughest.row on Instagram.
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