A BRAVE team of four will be facing momentous challenges when they row across the Atlantic in memory of a mother who died of cancer.

'Team Anna Victorious' will be taking on the huge test in order to raise money for Victoria's Promise - a cancer charity which supported Thatcham crewman Ed's wife Anna as she battled cancer.

In June 2017, 37-year-old new mum Anna was diagnosed with bowel cancer which had spread to her liver and lungs.

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Her daughter, Alba, was just six months old.

After three rounds of chemotherapy and some radiotherapy, Anna lost her battle with cancer in June 2018, aged 38.

Throughout her treatment, Anna showed incredible strength, bravery, resilience, and kindness, becoming an inspiration to many.

Anna was supported by Victoria's Promise, which helps and empowers young women and their families through cancer and beyond.

Anna's husband Ed worked as a Firearms Officer in the Thames Valley and Metropolitan Police Forces.

After supporting Anna through her battle, he changed direction and now dedicates his time to fundraising for the charity which helped his family though the tough time.

He and three friends have come together to form Team Anna Victorious and will be joined by around 30 other teams taking part in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, widely regarded as the world’s toughest row – even though they first took to the water a mere six months ago.

Ed said: "The journey starts a long time before setting off on the 3000-mile journey from La Gomera to Antigua.

"Some say the hardest part is getting to the start line, so having support at this stage is crucial.

"We are really looking forward to raising the profile and raising money for this amazing charity, Victoria's Promise, who did so much for Anna and my family during her cancer diagnosis."

Once the crew set off from La Gomera, challenges they will face include:

  • Encountering waves measuring up to 40ft high
  • Rowing two hours on and two hours off
  • Dealing with sleep deprivation
  • Rowing in excess of 1.5million strokes as a team
  • Burning 12,000 calories a day
  • Aiming to drink 10 litres of water per day

Team Anna Victorious are being aided by Wiltshire-based marketing expert Maggie Robinson through her business, Smart Thinking Consultancy.

Maggie met Ed and the rest of the crew at a business event and realized she could help them with their marketing.

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Maggie said: "After hearing Ed tell us all about his young family and how his wife's life was tragically taken by cancer, I felt a need to help.

"Ed and his team have already put so much effort into training and raising money, but there is still a long way to go, so I felt I could offer support by using my marketing expertise and contacts to help spread the word and raise funds to get them to the start line and for Victoria's Promise.

!Anna's story and Team Anna Victorious are so inspiring, I was keen to offer the help that I could.!

To find out more about the team and their progress, click here, where you can also donate and sponsor them.