Image Credit: Leanne Maiden via Instagram
Mother of two, Leanne Maiden, from Glasgow, Scotland rowed 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean for charity after her sailing partner had to drop out.
Originally from South Africa, Maiden has become the first South African woman to complete the challenge.
On her travels, she faced temperatures as low as 10 degrees celsius and waves up to 20ft high. The challenge took her 66 days and five hours, beating the estimated time of 85 days.
Maiden would row for up to 14 hours a day and had no toilet on board, only a bucket.
Maiden raised over £20,000 for charity, she said: “Thinking of the three incredible charities I was rowing for kept me going during the toughest times. The first week was incredibly difficult but after that I got into the groove and began to enjoy the solitude and the personal growth that came with this crazy journey.
“The feeling of arriving in Antigua was just incredible – a real mix of elation, relief, and sadness that it’s all over.
“I’ve had to overcome so many obstacles, some seemed so catastrophic that I laugh. I’m relieved that I’ve made it and especially relieved I made it before I ran out of toilet paper.
“Now I’ve been able to hug my family, I can’t wait to have a shower.
“I’m a mum. I did this for my children, to inspire them to step out of their comfort zone, and if I can inspire anyone to step out of their comfort zone it’s worth 66 days at sea.”
Scottish singer, Amy MacDonald, posted a video to her social media commending Maiden.
The singer wrote: “Leanne has been out on the Atlantic Ocean rowing since December 13 totally on her own; no flipping internet, no tv, no nothing…at the times the waves have been like stuff you see in the movies. She capsized. She got hit 180. And she was all on her own. My mind is blown by this and she’s about to touch land. It’s unbelievable. Crazy.”
The money raised is being donated to The Polar Academy UK, The Women’s Fund for Scotland and The Mabel Foundation.
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