Sponsors: how to help Yorkshire woman’s Atlantic challenge

Twenty-three-year-old Miriam Payne, will spend 50-60 days at sea – missing out on Christmas and New Year with family and friends – rowing, sleeping, eating and navigating her lightweight boat across the ocean.

She begins the 3,000-mile gruelling quest on December 12 when the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge sets off from La Gomera for Antigua, raising money for Wellbeing of Women and Mind charities.

And she’s looking for sponsors to support her challenge, who could have their name on the side of her boat to be seen by the millions worldwide who tune in to watch the race as it progresses over the weeks and months ahead.

Miriam has already had hundreds of thousands of views for the videos she’s posted on social media and supporters will be able to chart her progress through her posts.

Considered the “world’s toughest row” this extreme endurance race also presents a challenge in planning just to get to the start line.

Meet the rower

Miriam only took up rowing as an undergraduate at Glasgow University.

Having rowed for a crew on rivers, it’s been a steep learning curve for the Physics and Astrophysics graduate, who has gone through intensive training to ensure she is physically fit and ready for the challenge and equipped with the navigations skills, the mental strength and first aid knowledge needed to keep herself safe.

Initially the trip was planned with a two-person crew, but her rowing partner’s health meant she had to drop out – and Miriam is going to continue the quest alone.

“I think my parents got a bit of a shock when I told them my ambition, after graduation, was to row across the Atlantic Ocean,” said Miriam, whose interest was first sparked about six years ago when she heard of the race. She said raising money for the charities will be “the icing on the cake” and make the pain, the seasickness and the sleep deprivation all worthwhile.

Proud dad Christopher says she’s been in training for two years, spending hours at the gym to ensure she’s physically fit, but also completing 120 hours out at sea as a minimum and ensuring she has passed all the boat inspections, navigation skills, kit inspections, first aid courses and planning to cover food for 85 days and a working system for drinking water.

“There is so much to do,” he said. “But she’s up for it and getting very excited about it now.”

Although it will be a nerve-wracking time for her family and friends Christopher said there was good back up and rigorous safety checks to keep rowers safe, and that he had every confidence in her abilities and determination.

How can you help?

Racegoers have to fund their own journey – and this is where you can help by sponsoring or donating to the event. Businesses and individuals can all contribute as outlined below.

Miriam has set up a range of sponsorship opportunities for people who want to support her.

Donations start at £35 to buy a mile while larger donations of £250 will become part of the 250 club and could have their company, team or club logo added on her website and in all PR activities.

“Larger corporate packages are available for large and small businesses with a range of benefits including global media coverage and branding on the boat,” said Miriam.

Sponsorship packages can be arranged for your business or for one or more of your products or services

For more information contact Miriam at [email protected] and find out more about Miriam, the race, sponsorship or how to donate to the two charities on the website here.

Follow her on social media

With her own social media accounts and worldwide coverage of the race there will be a global audience for the challenge. You can follow her on Instagram and on TikTok @seastheday2022, on Facebook or on Twitter @seastheday2022