Life on the ocean wave for Greenfield grandad

Brave Atlantic rower Frank Rothwell is well on his way to completing his 3,000 mile trip for dementia research.

Grandfather Frank, 70, from Greenfield, has rowed well over 2,000 nautical miles across the Atlantic Ocean and is over halfway to raising £1 million for Alzheimer’s Research UK as donations have passed £612,000.  

The businessman started his epic 3,000-mile journey from La Gomera as part of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge on December 12. 

He hopes to be the oldest person to complete the challenge when he reaches the finish line in Antigua. 

Frank has currently spent more than a month at sea on his boat Never Too Old.

He has now raised more than any other participant in the challenge. Thanks to the generous contribution from supporters, and Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation’s doubling of donations of up to £500,000, Frank now has under £200,000 left to hit his £1 million target for Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Harsh weather conditions have been difficult for Frank to push through over the last few weeks. But he’s confident the second half should be easier than the first, as the weather picks up and the wind direction changes.  

Rowers usually adopt a two-hour on, two-hour off rowing method, but Frank has been listening to his body and rows intuitively. 

He has been managing to get a full eight hours sleep a night, although broken at times due to the crashing onboard of flying fish.  

He has also been enjoying some of the wildlife he’s spotted along the way, including a Minke whale, a school of 200-300 dolphins, and an exhausted bird that made a quick pit-stop on Frank’s boat for food and rest.

When it comes to feeding his body, the experts recommend rowers consume around 6,000 calories per day.

However, it surprised Frank just how difficult that is to manage as he can only stomach up to 4,000 calories per day. The freeze-dried diet Frank tucks into every day includes ready-made macaroni cheese, something he never wants to eat again!

After spending Christmas away from his wife and best friend of 50 years, Judith, Frank is looking forward to getting back in February and hopes to make it back in time for Valentine’s Day after spending more than 60 days at sea. However, Judith may have other ideas as she’s prepared a list of jobs for Frank to get stuck into at home in an attempt to keep him from going on any further adventures.

Frank Rothwell. Image credit: Alex Wallace Photography.

Brave Frank is no stranger to a challenge, previous expeditions include climbing Mt Kilimanjaro, sailing in South America, and being left to brave the elements for Channel 4’s The Island with Bear Grylls. 

At 70 years old, Frank has said this is the most difficult challenge he’s faced and misses the company of his wife the most, although they do get to speak regularly.

Speaking about crossing the halfway mark on his epic Atlantic mission, Frank said: “Although everything aches a bit, it’s all been worth it. 

“So far, I’ve seen some great sea life, experienced some rough weather conditions, and had a lot of time with my own thoughts, something our busy lifestyles don’t always allow time for.

“But I’m really starting to miss all the home comforts and all I can think about is eating a proper steak dinner, I’m sick of freeze-dried macaroni cheese!

“When I signed up for the challenge, I knew it would be tough. But now I’m halfway through it, I can safely say it’s just as hard mentally as it is physically. 

“Rowing for the charity, Alzheimer’s Research UK, has been my main motivation for crossing the finish line. 

“I’m getting hundreds of messages from people up and down the country, and sadly most of them have donated because dementia has impacted their life in some way. 

“As time goes on, I’ve realised it’s not just the charity I’m rowing for, it’s the people who have reached into their pockets and donated to get me across. I’ve got a lot of people counting on me and I want to do them proud!”

Hilary Evans, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “Frank has done exceptionally well to have made it halfway across the Atlantic at 70 years old and is inspiring people of all ages and backgrounds to start their own fundraising challenges. It’s been great to stay in touch with Frank on his journey, and we’ve been lucky enough to open so many heart-warming messages of support from people who have been moved by his efforts.”

Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/frankrothwell

Main image:

ALL AT SEA: Brave Frank Rothwell is rowing across the Atlantic. Picture by Alex Wallace Photography.