Thatcham widower takes on the Atlantic raising money for charity that supported late wife through cancer battle

Thatcham man Ed Smith is taking on the Atlantic this December, to raise money for a charity that supported his late wife through her battle with cancer.

Mr Smith is rowing from the Canary Islands to Antigua in aid of Victoria’s Promise, which supports young women and their families through their journeys with cancer.

He and three friends, all of whom knew Anna, will be taking on the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge before the year is out.

Mrs Smith was told in April 2018 that she wouldn’t have long to live, following a bowel cancer diagnoses in June 2017.

It was then that both Anna and Ed decided to push their September wedding forward and the pair married on May 26, 2018.

Mrs Smith sadly lost her battle with cancer in June 2018, at the age of 38, just 10 days after her big day, leaving behind her 18-month-old baby girl.

Mr Smith said that lots of people came together for their wedding, where Anna had her makeup done by an artist who has worked with Little Mix, a hair stylist from Vogue and a nail technician who told them that the last set of nails she worked on were none other than Beyoncé’s.

Now a single father, Mr Smith is preparing a 28-foot boatcalled Anna Victorious that will see him and his friends Rob Murray, Adam Green and Jack Biss, through the 3,000 nautical mile journey.

On the trip they will be rowing in excess of 1.5 million strokes as a team while encountering waves that can reach up to 40ft high.

In addition, the team will have to row for two hours on, two hours off as well as ensuring that each day they drink 10 litres of water and burn 12,000 calories.

Mr Smith said: “Up until now, it’s felt a long way away, we feel very busy getting the boat ready.

“I’m excited, but have a little bit of nerves and anticipation about what lies ahead.

“It is all very real all of a sudden.”

Details about the trip, the cause and the crew can be found at https://annavictorious.co.uk/