We are Laura, Cassie, Micah and Chelsea and we are aiming to be the first female Australian team of four to complete a crossing of the Atlantic ocean in a rowing boat. This is a self funded expedition that we have decided to embark on for not only the personal challenge, but to also support two Australian charities.

This is part of the World's Toughest Row annual event and we will be rowing from San Sebastian De La Gomera to Nelsons Dockyard Antigua. We are aiming to complete this 4,800km self-supported row across the Atlantic Ocean in 45 days, which will consist of a routine of row, eat, sleep and repeat. We will not be leaving the boat during this time.

As a group we are passionate around encouraging and supporting more girls and women to get involved in adventure sports. By age 14, many girls are dropping out of sports at two times the rate of boys and it is for this reason, we hope by competing we will raise awareness around the under-representation of women in adventure sports. We believe this helps build strong, capable and confident women. As four novice rowers, we are hoping other young women will see our story and feel empowered to achieve what initially seems unachievable. After all, you can't be, what you can't see.

We are going to use this challenge as a platform to raise awareness and much needed funds for two Australian Charities we feel closely connected to. The first charity we have chosen is a RUAH Community Services which provides crisis housing and supports including financial and advocacy for women and children experience domestic and family violence. As four women we align ourselves with the Ruah Community Services vision of flourishing communities through the active participation, connection and wellbeing of people.

The second charity we have chosen is Rural Flying Doctors Service (RFDS) of Western Australia who everyday, retrieve 28 people from rural and remote areas to provide access to much needed healthcare. Based in Western Australia, we strongly align ourselves with the RFDS values of dedication, integrity and innovation which we believe we require to achieve the massive feat of rowing across an ocean.

To compete we need to raise 250,000 dollars to help us cover the costs of purchasing a boat, flights, registration, food and training. Once the race is complete all funds recouped from selling our boat and equipment will be directly donated to our charities. Your donations will allow us to embark on our journey to support Ruah Community Services and Royal Flying Doctors Service of Western Australia. Your tax deductible donation will directly contribute to supporting us achieve this challenge. Please donate now.