Man raises thousands for RNLI rowing across the Atlantic

Neil Wittridge, from Lyme Regis, has returned from his journey across the Atlantic Ocean for the fundraising expedition and has raised more than £3,000 for the RNLI.

Neil Wittridge, raised thousands of pounds for charity rowing across the Atlantic. Picture: Richard Horobin

As part of a team of 12, Mr Wittridge started off the journey from Tenerife on December 5, to row 3,000 nautical miles across the Atlantic Ocean and crossed the finish line in Antigua after 41 days, four hours and 18 minutes.

The 61-year-old set up a Just Giving page to raise funds for the RNLI, a charity which he said he feels very close to.

On Sunday, February 6, Mr Witteridge was able to present a check for £3,005 to lifeboat crew members in Lyme Regis which he raised through his GoFundMe page.

The crew crossing the finish line. Picture: Ted Martin

Mr Wittridge,a member of the Lyme Regis Gig Club who he has been rowing with for ten years, recalled seeing whales, flying fish and tuna leaping out of the water on his journey.

He said: “It was a terrific experience. I feel a lot fitter now than when I started. We were rowing three hours on with three hours off.

“It was no walk in the park and I struggled with confinement. We had a small cabin and at any one time there were three of us in there trying to rest and get ready to row. And of course it was getting hotter all the time we were getting nearer Antigua.”

Mr Witteridge, a project manager, said lifetime friendships had been forged during the voyage.

He said: “None of us knew each other at the start.”

Mr Witteridge's boat, Roxy, was 11.36m in length with a beam of 1.6m.

Roxy Expeditions, which oversaw the voyage, states: "Participating in a Roxy Expedition will test you in every possible way.

"This is a tough schedule and is mentally and physically exhausting. Living in close quarters with 11 other recently befriended rowers in a small vessel and unable to see land can also be emotionally challenging."