World’s Toughest Row 2025 - Hitting the Fundraising Target and Rowing into Phase 2
We Did It 🎉
Well, this is a bit surreal… but we’ve done it! By the end of September 2025 - a whole three months ahead of schedule - Just One More Row hit its fundraising target.
For a campaign that only launched less 10 months ago, that’s pretty flipping amazing. When I first announced I’d be rowing solo across the Atlantic, I had no idea how many people would jump onboard (pun absolutely intended).
But you did - in the most incredible way. ❤️
About 75% of the total has come from small donations - from Tribe customers, book clubbers, raffle-ticket buyers, merch-wearers, and generous humans who simply threw a few quid in the pot, along with their best wishes. The rest has come from a brilliant bunch of independent businesses - many of them local or long-time Tribe suppliers - who’ve sponsored, collaborated, and cheered from the side-lines.
I made the decision very early not to chase big corporate sponsorships. I guess it might have been easier, maybe, but they wouldn’t have added any real meaning to the campaign - and honestly, I don’t think we were ever the right fit for each other. The heart of Just One More Row has always been small, honest business, community, creativity, and small-but-mighty support. So this milestone feels even more special - it’s been achieved by real people, real relationships, genuine friendships, and a shared goal of making a positive and relatable impact on each other’s lives.
A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL WHO DONATED AND SPONSORED - So MANY TO MENTION BUT HERE IS A FEW:
Kate & Toby Anstruther of Balcaskie Estate (sponsors and 250 Clubbers)
Deb Ricketts from the Tribe Yarns Book Club and Iris of Artyarns. Both product sponsors
Lewis of David Lowrie Fish and James of Kinneuchar Inn who hosted our charity fundraiser. David Lowrie is a sponsor too and donated the £10k tuna!
My beautiful parents and sponsors - Malti & Jay Shah
The full cost of this mad adventure sits at around £125,000 - covering the boat, safety kit, medical supplies, training, shipping the boat to the start line and back home gain, and all the random things you never think about until you’re actually trying to cross an ocean (like 300 freeze-dried curries and pots of chamois butter). Thanks to everyone’s generosity, a lot of these costs are covered. That said, I’m still selling merch at tribeyarns.com to help soften the blow…
FANCY SOME ‘Just One More Row’ Merch?
…because taking months out of running a small business to row an ocean doesn’t come with paid leave 😊, and I still have a big chunk to pay from my savings. Every hoodie, bikini, or tote bag sold helps keep me afloat (literally and financially).
Rowing the Atlantic to raise money for two amazing charities
Now that the big goal’s been met, we’re rowing into Phase 2 - which means that from now on, every penny donated goes directly to my two charities:
Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS)
The 2 Minute Foundation
You can donate via the button below, knowing it all now goes straight to these two brilliant causes.
I can’t tell you how grateful I am for every bit of support - every message, raffle ticket, purchase, and pep talk.
And a huge shout out to the Tribe Yarns Book Club that was birthed by Jackie this year after random musings during one of my Packing Lives on Instagram. I didn’t have any expectations for it, but wowza!! An INCREDIBLE group of humans make up this spontaneous Book Club, and they’ve provided not only financial support, but also so much friendship, emotional support and even surprise snack packs and cocktails. I don’t have the words to express my delight and gratitude to Jackie, and Jen, and Deb, and Hyatt, all the ladies that make up this KICKASS group!!
‘TUC TUC’ IS now DRESSED AND READY FOR WORLD’S TOUGHEST ROW 2025
THE BOAT WRAP REVEAL…
The boat wrap reveal - ‘Tuc Tuc’ all ready for the World’s Toughest Row 2025 now!
Everyone who’s helped get me here - you’ve already given me so much strength for what’s ahead. I promise to make it safely to the other side, and to make the row as lovely, ridiculous, and life-affirming as it deserves to be.
