Halesowen cancer survivor rows 3,800 miles into record books

Sam, from Halesowen, was among a team of adventurers who recorded the fastest-ever Atlantic Ocean row - smashing three world records in the process.

The five-strong team completed the 3,800 nautical-mile journey in 51 days, beating the previous record by 20 days.

The 30-year-old, from Manor Way, organised the row as part of a series of challenges, called Lap the World, in a bid to raise £240,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The ocean row was the second phase of the challenge following a 1,700-mile cycle through Southern France, Spain and to the western edge of Europe at Lagos, in Portugal.

From there the ocean row crew set out on its epic journey to Venezuela living on a diet of dehydrated meals, chocolate bars and beef jerky.

But Sam said it was the parts of the journey which they could not prepare for which had been the worst.

"I don't want to be crude about it but one of the hardest parts of the journey was the sores which we all had on our backsides," he said.

"There was still 2,000 miles to go and it was very uncomfortable and difficult to row. Out of everything, even the muscular pain and tiredness, I think the sores were the worst."

Sam said he had been focusing on getting ready for the rowing part of the challenge as he knew it would be the most physically demanding.

"With the cycling you can stop by the roadside, take a break or even stop for a quick sleep," he said.

"In the boat that was not possible. We had rowing shifts of two hours followed by a couple of hours rest and then back to the rowing. You have to keep going.

"It was very challenging for all of us but well worth it. To smash the records was just the icing on the cake and I am extremely proud of the achievement."

The crew also included Ralph Tuijn, Tara Adams, Nick Sen and Jim Alsford.

The team spent the challenge in a 28ft boat, shared every meal and rowed for 12 hours a day.

Alongside being the fastest rowers, the team have also made the Guinness Book of World Records as Tara is the first female to row from mainland Europe to mainland South America and Nick Sen is the youngest person to row this particular route.

But their success was nearly sunk at the eleventh hour after a member of the team was forced to pull out of the challenge at the last-minute.

It was only a quick reply from experienced ocean rower Ralph Tuijn agreeing to take part which saved the challenge.

Sam said: "The crew member who pulled out was our experienced member so we had to find someone quickly.

"We could not have asked for better than Ralph. He was absolutely brilliant."

Macmillan Cancer Support is a deeply personal cause for the intrepid fundraiser who, at the age of 10, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

He underwent successful chemotherapy at Birmingham Children's Hospital and was helped through his treatment and recovery by Macmillan nurse Moira Bradwell.

Sam said she had been 'an inspiration' and he had continued to see her regularly for check-ups for the next 17 years.

And while Moira has now retired, they still keep in contact up to the present day.

He said: "After the initial treatment, I was fortunate my cancer treatment was working and was in remission. Moira was there for me for many years after the diagnosis and it was brilliant to be able to talk to her. She was really inspirational.

"Moira has retired now but we still keep in contact and chat every so often. That is why I wanted to do something like this to raise funds for the charity. It is an opportunity to give something back."

He has spent the last three years preparing for the charity challenge – getting himself to the peak of fitness with a gruelling fitness regime including bike rides on the Clent Hills to improve his physical fitness and stamina.

He is now back in Halesowen preparing for the next phase of the challenge. He will be cycling from the East Coast to the West Coast of South America.

The journey of around 2,500 miles will take him through the Amazon to the Andes Mountains and a climb to 4,000m altitude and he is due to set off in around eight weeks.

At the moment he is working for Macmillan in London as part of the charity's fundraising team , splitting his time between the capital and his home town.

"By breaking three world records we've achieved something great, and I hope to continue raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support, it just might be on land, rather than sea," he said.

Sam, who is single, said his parents, Sue and Barry, had been hugely supportive of his fundraising efforts.

"I expected them to be worried and anxious and parents usually are but they have been really optimistic.

"Everyone has been absolutely brilliant and I want to thank everyone for their support."

Sam said following his treatment his cancer had gone into remission.

"With cancer you never know what the future holds but I have been extraordinarily lucky. I want others in the same position to have the same level of care and support I have benefited from."

Sam said although he had been preparing for the challenge for three years he had first come up with the idea five years ago.

The challenge started out in Paris as French authorities prohibit any rowing or kayaking across the English Channel, but after leaving Birmingham the team cycled down to the south coast via London.

He said if £240,000 could be raised it would be enough to build a new chemotherapy suite in a hospital which would benefit thousands of people over a number of years.

To sponsor Sam in the next phase of his challenge visit www.laptheworld.com