PLEASE KINDLY CLICK ON 'GIVE NOW' OR 'DONATE TO TEAM MEMBER/STEFAN' AND DO NOT DONATE DIRECTLY TO THE RESPECTIVE CHARITY. MANY THANKS. ❤️ 😊 🙏

From mid-July 2024, Stefan will be part of an expedition team that will attempt to row the legendary Northwest Passage for the first time in history. They expect to reach Herschel Island, their finish line, next to the Alaskan border (see map below), after 8 to 10 weeks. One member will always be on polar bear watch, because you don't want those pesky furries to dull the mood on board. They will be completely unsupported.

[The route last year's team rowed. This year's team will pick up the baton at last year's finish point, Cambridge Bay, and attempt to row to Herschel Island, almost all the way to Alaska.]

THE RISKS

Icebergs pose a very severe risk, especially because frequent occasions of thick fog mean that visibility might be down to two metres at times. There are no reliable maps. GPS and compasses do not work so close to the North Pole. And storms can be vicious up there. A separate expedition several years ago ended up with a heavily damaged boat, when the boat had been lifted entirely out of the water, then crashed back down into it in a vertical fashion. They were able to fix the leaks.

[The world's largest land predator is actually a marine mammal: ursus maritimus]

LAST YEAR'S FIRST LEG OF THE EXPEDITION

Great thanks go to last year's expedition team, who successfully made it to the half-way point in Cambridge Bay. Due to work and family commitments, only two members of last year's team are joining again this year.

TIME FRAME & STEFAN'S BACKGROUND

While the plan is to be rowing from mid-July, adverse weather conditions could easily lead to a delay of several weeks.

Stefan is an intermediate river rower and past adventures include Everest Base Camp, Kilimanjaro, a descent down the deepest section of the UK's largest cave, a sump dive in another cave, and paddleboarding the Thames source to London. He is also a keen climber, long distance open water swimmer, and ultra-runner.

[Hermione, our boat, in her current location at Cambridge Bay]

FUNDRAISING FOR RNLI

As a member of the RNLI and with his deep love for watersports, it was always clear to him, that he would do some fundraising for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. More than 600 of those true heroes have lost their own lives over the years, while saving others.

HACKNEY QUEST

Young people and families from all over the Borough of Hackney in Northeast London have been supported by Hackney Quest since 1988. This charity provides long term projects for the benefit of young people (and families) at risk of social exclusion. The activities range from free workout sessions to mentoring, skills training, assistance with job search, and art projects, to name just a few.

When Stefan arrived in London, 18 years ago, he lived in this part of town and experienced many of the issues, that Hackney Quest are addressing, from close proximity. When he moved to central London, he got closely involved in similar projects near his new home.

CANCER RESEARCH UK

The matter closest to Stefan's heart, is the one Cancer Research UK is affiliated with. In 2007, Stefan's mom, who has always been very close to him, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma at an advanced stage. After successful treatment, the cancer has now been in remission for almost 12 years. Together with Stefan's dad, she lives a full, happy life in good health, despite her advanced age of 79 years. The couple still live in the same house where Stefan grew up, in a small town near the Bavarian Alps.

[This is relatively smooth sea. The waves can get a lot higher during the frequent storms.]

As the world's largest independent cancer charity, there are few organisations who have done more to work on cures for cancer. Stefan has a monthly direct debit set up. As early as 1977, Cancer Research UK published pioneering research into non-Hodgkin lymphoma, that would change the game forever. There are currently several Cancer Research UK projects focused on finding more effective treatments for lymphoma. Even though Cancer Research UK is a UK charity, the research results are, of course, being made available to hospitals and scientists worldwide.

As little as 5 pounds could make a difference. Please help me reach my goal of £25,000.