A MENTAL HEALTH NURSE is preparing to row across the Atlantic Ocean in her biggest challenge yet, making her wife wonder, “Why?”
Damian McCafferty, 45, from Blundellsands, is taking part in the world's toughest rowing challenge – including missing Christmas at home – to raise money for children's hospice Clare House. , I plan to row for a total of 12 hours a day for 44 days.
The 45-year-old was part of a 12-person crew that set off from the coast of Tenerife in early December to provide support to life-limited children and their children, arriving 3,000 nautical miles in Antigua. I plan to. family. This will be his toughest challenge yet, even though he has competed in marathons and mountain climbs across the Sahara.
read more: He is the richest Scouser who ever lived, but has always avoided the limelight.
read more: Police close road after woman collapses in car
Throughout his life, Damien has raised thousands for charities through ambitious challenges so extreme that they made his wife ask, “Why?”
Damian, who retrained as a CAMHS nurse in Flintshire after retiring six years ago, said: 'I've run marathons, driven through the Sahara and climbed mountains to support charities close to home. “But this will be difficult.” Your schedule is set from the moment you leave Tenerife, so it can be both mentally and physically demanding.
“It's not for everyone because it means living in a small boat with 11 other rowers and never seeing land. For me, it's not just about conquering the Atlantic Ocean. It's also about helping Clare House make a difference in the world's lives of children and families who need it most. ”
Damien has always participated in intense challenges since childhood. He told the ECHO: [World’s Toughest Row] It’s been on my bucket list since we first met in 2015, and now I want to do it. I have been working for Clare House for five years. It's a good organization that I can support and they do this kind of thing anyway so it's good to do it for a good charity like this. By doing charity work, you can move forward even when you feel like giving up.
“I've done them [challenges] Since I was in school, I joined the military straight out of school, I've always been very fit and I love being outside. I don't like sitting at home, I'm always active, but then there's always more activity. I just did a 77 mile walk around Windermere this weekend and it took me 19 hours. The climb up and down the hill on the hottest day so far this year was hot and grueling.
“But this is going to be my hardest challenge yet. I've done multi-day expeditions before, but the fact that I'm stuck in a boat for 44 days is not necessarily a physical challenge. It's not just a physical challenge, it's a mental challenge.”
The challenge consists of 44 days, 24 hours a day, 3 hours of rowing followed by 3 hours of rest. Damian hopes to return home in the second week of January. He added: “I like adventure and being outside. It might be terrible at the time, but it will be the trip of a lifetime. If Clare House can benefit from that, I'll be happy. I will participate,” he added. myself through it.
“My wife always supports me, but she always asks me why I do what I do. We've traveled all over the world together and scuba dived together. But… From the day she met me, she was used to me running away and doing things, like running a marathon or whatever, but doing whatever I wanted to do and telling someone, “This place is five bucks.'' I think it's a great honor to be able to make people feel like donating even $10 to charity. ”
Despite facing his own health challenges, Damien continues to find his passion in working with children and families with complex needs, many of whom have experienced serious illness or trauma. , is the driving force. Damien said: “Many of the children and families at Clare House have experienced the heartache of serious terminal illness and loss.
“Learning about this and working with people in similar situations made me want to help as well. I have suffered from arthritis and chronic pain since my early 30s, but I continues to strive and raise money and awareness through endurance events. I am fully committed to the final step” – or in this case, rowing.
“I know I can do this. I just hope good comes out of it. I've been doing this kind of work since I was a kid and Clare House is a great place to work. doing.”
As a member of the Coast Guard Crosby, Damien is used to navigating sometimes unpredictable waters. But on top of the immense challenge of completing the thousands of miles of the journey, he has the daunting task of raising funds and finding sponsors. He has set up a fundraising page to collect donations towards his immense challenge. You can donate here.
Mark Pearson, Clare House Events Fundraiser, said: “Clare House exists because of the incredible support we receive from our local community.
“By rowing across the Atlantic, Daman is undertaking an epic challenge and we are truly grateful that he has chosen to support Clare House in doing this.
“We can't wait to follow Damien's line across the waves and wish him well. His support will help local children get the specialist care they need in hospice and in the community. This means that you can continue to receive
Damian also has an Instagram account where you can follow all of his fundraising efforts leading up to his biggest challenge yet. You can follow his page here.
Don’t miss out on the biggest, latest news by signing up for the Echo Daily newsletter here