It seemed like a good idea at the time.. 

On 13th June, I'll be setting off with 11 other intrepid rowers on board Roxy, a brand new ocean rowing vessel, which almost has... well.. almost enough room for us all to sleep on. 

There is a cabin at either end. I just hope no-one snores.

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I'll be tracking my sleep, or lack of, during the trip, and will keep you posted on our progress. 

Many of the crew will switch over each week, but 4 of us will be on board for all 1650 nautical miles. I imagine they will all know a lot about sleep, and lack of it, by the end of it.

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The British Heart Foundation supports life-saving research - the kind which means my Dad is still here, several years on from his triple heart bypass operation a few years ago. 

But BHF has had another transformative effect on my life. Twelve years ago I was lucky enough to receive BHF PhD funding to investigate the links between stress, wellbeing and heart disease at UCL. It was this research that enabled me to learn about the critical role of sleep for regulating our emotions, health, and performance. 

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It was thanks to the BHF that I became a scientist. I will always be incredibly grateful, and am committed to making science more relevant and accessible to help multiply the impact of that investment. 

I would be hugely grateful for your help to support the researchers of the future, and to fund life-saving research which means that families like mine have more time to spend together.

• £88 helps to fund 4 hours of vital support from a Helpline Cardiac Nurse. This can make a difference to heart patients’ daily lives by providing vital support to empower them to better manage their condition and treatment.
• £500 helps to fund a defibrillator for a community first responder (CFR) scheme. This will allow volunteers to attend local emergencies and provide immediate care more quickly than an ambulance can arrive. 

If you'd like to follow updates during the row, you'll find me www.thesleepscientist.com/blog, or on Instagram & Twitter @drsophiebostock. Huge thanks for your support! 

Sophie