In June 2024 Tom Waddington set out to try and complete an extraordinary solo row across the Atlantic from Quidi Vidi, Canada to Penzance, UK. A total of 2,300 miles to row with the aim of raising £50k for MIND. Only 8 people have ever succeeded in completing the row before. Tom’s inspiration to take up the challenge was after a tragic loss of his own and the support he got from MIND
Tritax Big Box (TBBR) were one of the 2 top tier sponsors of this endeavour. As part of this package they had the opportunity to brand the boat and provide branded merchandise for Tom to wear.
We developed a dynamic graphic for the boat using the Tritax triangles and an icon depicting Tom with OARs.
After 3 years of training on 5th July 2024 the weather in Quidi Vidi was suitable and Tom set off… solo rowing the Atlantic.
TBBR took on an challenge internally to raise money for MIND. Each office set up our branded area with static bikes and the team were asked to ‘do their bit’ to ride and match Tom’s rowing miles. They raised an additional X for MIND.
45 days later rowing alone, not seeing another sole, 3 x capsizes and numerous highly emotional/ terrifying experiences he arrived safely in Penzance. In total Tom raised £72K.
Prior to his departure we had created an idea for a documentary of Tom’s challenge – Against the Current. Our camera man followed Tom through the final stages of his training, filmed friends and family pre, during and post the row and he went out to Canada to see Tom start. He was there to witness Tom’s arrival in Penzance and to film him post row for him to really express his feelings on the experience. All this footage along with what Tom filmed during the row is used within the documentary. The documentary is due to be complete June 2025.
In addition to this we also worked with a volunteer trusted partner to get PR for Tom’s row gaining coverage on BBC Radio Leeds, BBC Look North, XXXX.Tom’s own recording of his boat surrounded by over 1,000 whales was also picked up by international press and went viral worldwide.