Quartet to take on Indian Ocean rowing challenge only completed by 50 people to raise £250k for charity

Four fundraisers are planning to take on a challenge only ever conquered by 50 people in history – as they prepare for the Indian Ocean Challenge to raise £250k for charity.

Known as Barneys Boys, the crew will row 3,700-miles from Australia to Mauritius – a journey likely to take between 60 and 90 days.

They will face cyclones and strong currents, with the challenge labelled as one of the most demanding ocean crossings in the world, with only 25 successful completions ever recorded.

The team will be led by Rod Adlington, a Midlands farmer who previously rowed the Atlantic Ocean for charities Get-A-Head and Meningitis Now, raising £146k.

Rod’s fundraising efforts are in memory of his son Barney, who died of meningitis at the age of three.

He is set to be joined on his new challenge by two serving RAF personnel, Corporal Gary Binns and Flight Sergeant Phil Angus. Both men also rowed the Atlantic at the same time as Rod but as part of a different crew.

A fourth member of the Barney’s Boys crew is still to be recruited, and they will be raising money for the same two causes as well as the Veteran’s charity.

The challenge will take place in 2028 with Rod, Phil and Gary already preparing for the conditions that will be thrown at them.

“The Atlantic row was a trip of a lifetime – but this is going to be something else, something only a small number of people have ever completed.” explained Rod, from Solihull.

“The last challenge was incredibly tough, and it threw an awful lot at us, but we managed to get through to the end of it.

“Now we thought we’ve got to step it up and go bigger so this is the next big challenge, and it is going to be a mammoth task.

“I’m delighted to be joined by Gary and Phil, they’re great guys and they both know what it takes mentally and physically to complete such a huge challenge. We’re hoping people will give generously and help us raise as much money as possible for three amazing causes.”

Rod has also completed a number of other challenges in the past including a 900-mile cycle ride from Lands End to John O’Groats earlier this year, but this challenge will be a huge step up for him and his fellow fundraisers.

Gary, who hails from West Yorkshire and is based at RAF High Wycombe, is under no illusions about how tough the task is going to be.

He added: “The Atlantic row was an epic challenge that threw so much at us, and we had to push our bodies like we had never pushed them before.

“It was an amazing and unforgettable trip, so to be doing something similar and then some is really special.

“This one is going to be even tougher, but it is an exciting challenge to be involved in and of course we will be raising funds for three fantastic causes in the processes.”

Phil, who is based at RAF Odiham, said it was great to be teaming up with Gary again.

“This new challenge in the Indian Ocean is a different beast – but it is one I’m certainly up for. I want to test myself and push myself, and the chance to potentially join a unique group of people is exciting.

“It is great to be alongside Gary again, and to be joining Rod who has completed some epic challenges and achieved some fantastic fundraising in the past.”

A tough year of training and a busy 12 months of fundraising lies ahead of them – as they look to raise as much money as they can for the vital causes they have chosen.

Danni Heath, Director of Get A-Head, a head and neck cancer charity, said: “Gary, Rod and Phill all did an amazing job in their Atlantic Row challenges, raising vital funds to support multiple charities between them.

“Completing one major ocean rowing challenge would be enough for most people but not for these three remarkable men.

“We’d like to say a huge thank you to Barney’s Boys for agreeing to this extreme challenge in support of Get A-Head and the other two causes.

“They’ll be training hard over the next 12 months to prepare mentally, physically and emotionally for the challenge and we’ll be supporting wherever we can.

“Funds raised from this will support research into causes and treatments for head and neck cancer as well as education for healthcare professionals, life-saving equipment and direct patient support.”

Tom Nutt, chief executive of Meningitis Now, added: “We are incredibly grateful to Rod for his continued commitment to supporting Meningitis Now and for the extraordinary lengths he is prepared to go to in memory of his son Barney.

“This is an extraordinary challenge, and one that will help us continue our vital work to save lives and support families affected by meningitis.

“We wish Rod, Gary, Phil and the whole Barney’s Boys team the very best of luck with their preparations and the challenge itself. We’ll be cheering them on every step – or rather, every stroke – of the way. Thank you for their incredible generosity, courage and commitment.”

Danny Greeno, chief executive of The Veterans Charity, said: “Gary and Phil went above and beyond for us when they rowed the Atlantic, so we’re thrilled they’re taking on the Indian Ocean with Rod and choosing to support us again.

“For a small charity like ours every pound makes a real difference and the money Barney’s Boys raise will help us give fast, practical support to veterans facing hardship right across the UK. We’ll be cheering the whole crew on every mile of the way.”

To donate visit Barney’s Boys on Givewheel here. For more information about the crew and the challenge go to barneysboys.co.uk