Leicestershire adventurer taking on World’s Toughest Row for Charity

The World’s Toughest Row begins on 12 December 2025 in La Gomera in the Canary Islands and ends in Antigua in the West Indies, a journey expected to take between 35 and 45 days over the Christmas and New Year period. Along the way, crews face towering waves up to 20 feet high, temperatures ranging from 10°C at night to over 30°C with humidity, and the relentless grind of burning 6,000 calories a day, with each rower likely losing between 12-20kg before reaching land.

Team Seas Life consists of Julian Evans, from Leicester, alongside former England Rugby 7s captain and Guinness World Record holder Ollie Phillips, also joined by seasoned adventurers Stuart Kershaw and Tom Clowes - all Everest summiteers.

Evans has completed a number of expeditions and challenges in the name of fundraising over the years. He has reached the North and South Poles on foot, raised roughly £2 million for charity and was the 45th Briton to complete the 7 summits challenge.

The team is fundraising for several charities close to their hearts that includes The Matt Hampson Foundation, who Evans is fundraising for, which supports young people seriously injured through sport. It was founded by former Leicester Tigers prop, Matt Hampson, who was left paralysed from the neck down after a scrum collapsed.

The other causes include My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, honouring the late rugby legend Doddie Weir, who passed away in 2022 following his MND diagnosis. Motor Neurone Disease and other neurological conditions have devastating impacts, often linked to the long-term effects of playing sport. By taking on this extreme challenge, Team Seas Life hopes to raise awareness and vital funds for research and support.

Other beneficiaries include Cure Parkinson’s, The Clocktower Foundation and Shiplake Primary School.

Retired professional rugby player Ollie Phillips, said:“This is going to be a superb challenge; I think probably the toughest thing that any of us have ever taken on before. But if we contrast that to some of the people that are impacted by the conditions that we're raising awareness and money for, then it pales into an insignificance.

“Especially when you look at the mental fortitude of people like Matt Hampson, along with Lewis Moody, Ed Slater, Rob Burrows and Doddie Weir who have suffered, or continue to suffer, at the hands of Motor Neurone Disease.

“I am excited yet nervous about the whole experience, but then also grateful that I'm able to utilise my audience and community to do something extraordinary and to raise a lot of money for some incredible causes. That hopefully makes a massive impact when we get home.”

Help Team Seas Life make a difference, donate here: https://www.seaslife.co.uk/donate