A Kings Langley resident has raised more than £250,000 for charity by completing an incredible 3,000-mile journey across the Atlantic Ocean.
Robbie Laidlaw and his boss Chris Mitchell began their journey on the Spirit of Hospitality rowboat in December last year, launching from La Gomera in the Canary Islands and travelling all the way to Antigua.
The pair aimed to raise funds for Hospitality Action, a charity which supports workers in the hospitality industry struggling with financial and personal issues.
During the tough challenge, they faced 20-foot waves, violent storms and severe sleep deprivation, as well as five-mile deep sea valleys.
Robbie’s fiancé, Kiri Jones, who gave birth to the couple’s son while he was completing the challenge, told Kings News: “There was no safety boat that followed them. They experienced an incredible amount, from capsizing in the darkness, to losing all power for three days due to Saharan sands blocking their solar panels.”
Finally, at the end of January this year, Robbie and Chris made it to the Caribbean. They finished in fifth place out of 37 boats.
Kiri added: “These guys run a business that provides catering for offices. They are not rowers; they had never rowed a boat before signing up to raise money for a charity that helps people in their sector, which was left financially drained after supporting the hospitality industry through COVID-19.
“I’m unbelievably proud to be marrying this man. His determination and integrity to continue with this challenge he committed to before knowing of our son’s arrival are incredible traits I hope to pass on to our boy.”
To view Robbie and Chris’ journey, visit their Instagram account.
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