THE founder of a Perranporth business is to lead a sustainable mission across the Atlantic in a bid to raise £200,000 for charity. 

Dan Dicker, who established sustainable drinkware specialist Circular&Co, along with three of his friends, will take on the ‘World’s Toughest Row’ in December in aid of Diabetes UK, Cancer Research and The Final Straw Foundation

Dan and his teammates, Jon Wilburn, Jason Howard and Steve Potter., will navigate 3,000 miles of open ocean from San Sebastian de La Gomera in Spain to Nelson’s Dockyard in Antigua. Their journey will be completed in a rowing boat, which has been designed and crafted under Dan’s leadership. 

The team has partnered with the UK National Centre for Composites and Rannoch Adventure, world renowned leaders in ocean rowing boat design and manufacture. They are building a boat which is not only made from recycled materials but will also be fully recyclable at the end of its useful life, showcasing a new standard in low-carbon and circular design. 

Jason, a physiotherapist, will ensure the team’s wellbeing throughout the race. He will monitor both their physical and mental health in the ever-changing environment. 

Jason will compile a ‘health report’ for each crew member with the aim of highlighting how resilience in challenging conditions can relate to everyday life. 

Meanwhile, teachers Jon and Steve plan to deliver live lessons from the heart of the Atlantic.

The “We’re Changing Tomorrow Together” themed lessons will reach students globally, with a focus on innovation, environmental understanding and inspiration in the hopes of sparking discussions around key environmental issues such as marine pollution. 

The team’s efforts also extend beyond the race itself, as they will be collaborating with Professor Richard Thompson OBE of Plymouth University to track and analyse plastic pollution, contributing to the university’s groundbreaking work on developing software which can track large plastic items out at sea via satellite. 

The challenge was officially announced at the Marine Station, part of the University of Plymouth on Friday, September 6. Fifty-eight pupils from a local school were invited to enjoy a sneak peek of the crew’s live lessons. 

The students were able to climb into and explore a boat on land and see examples of food supplies and kit. Family, friends and colleagues were also taken for a spin in the official boat, where they had the opportunity to try rowing for themselves.  

Dan said: “This idea started, as many of these things do, as a chat down the pub – and now we’re rowing the Atlantic! We’re thrilled to be raising funds for causes close to our hearts. Jason’s son, Jake, has lived with diabetes since he was 10, I lost my mum to cancer 14 years ago and The Final Straw Foundation is a local charity dedicated to keeping our oceans clean. 

“Our boat is more than just a vessel; it’s a statement on the potential of circular design. We want to show the world that plastics, when used responsibly, can be repurposed and reused.

“This mission is about inspiring change and encouraging everyone to embrace circularity in their daily lives.”