#SP243 Atlantic Flyers
Description
Squadron Prints Lithograph No SP243 - Atlantic Flyers, Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge - 3000 miles to change lives.
£10 from the sale of each print will be donated to Starlight after the epic journey has been completed.
The Atlantic Flyers are a team of four Royal Air Force Pilots: Wing Commander Phil Holdcroft, Flight Lieutenant Chris Carrington-Smith, Wing Commander Sonny Roe and Flight Lieutenant Si Berry. United by much more than the wings on their chests and shared experience of frontline combat; all four shared the ambition of competing in the world’s toughest endurance challenge – rowing unsupported across the Atlantic Ocean - and using this once in a lifetime opportunity to change the lives of desperately ill children by creating dreams for life’s most deserving souls. In the Summer of 2014, Phil’s daughter, Isla, was diagnosed with Leukaemia at just 22 months old. Through the support of amazing friends, and wonderful charities like Starlight, she was able to conquer the seemingly impossible and was considered cured on 26 October 2021, after 5 years in remission. The Atlantic Flyers decided to mark this magical milestone through the ultimate test of physical and psychological resilience. In their boat ‘Valkyrie’, the team committed to pouring their hearts and souls into racing across the Atlantic and raising money for the incredible Starlight charity, which supports the hospital care of little heroes like Isla. The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge is the premier event in ocean rowing: a race over more than 3000 Miles from San Sebastian in La Gomera, Canary Islands, Spain (28oN 18oW) to Nelson’s Dockyard, English Harbour, Antigua & Barbuda (17oN 61oW). Teams battle with sleep deprivation, salt sores, and physical extremes inflicted by the race. Rowers are left with their own thoughts, an expanse of the ocean and the job of racing the boat safely to the other side. Upon finishing, rowers join a small community of friends that have shared the adventures of an ocean crossing. To realise this near-impossible dream, the Atlantic Flyers have been supported by incredible partners, who share their vision for transforming lives by triumphing over adversity. The team’s headline sponsor is SubSea Craft, a privately funded enterprise which delivers advanced maritime technology; SubSea Craft also hosted the Atlantic Flyers for their final preparations for the trans-Atlantic voyage. Also supporting the Atlantic Flyers are Draken, which provides a multitude of aviation training roles, The RAF Central Fund, Taylor Hare Architects, Team Ethos, Nexus IFA, Sun God, Expedition Foods, Honorary Group Captain Kevin Billings, and Gill & Berry from Squadron Prints. Atlantic Flyers are forever grateful for the incredible support they’ve received and are committed to sharing their journey, inspiring others and changing lives.