South Hams amputee sportswoman, Sophie Harris, has signed up for a gruelling 2,000 mile row around Great Britain in a bid to break the current world record.

Sophie, 36, is part of a six-strong physically active female crew who sought an epic challenge after the Covid pandemic put a stop to their competitions.

Their journey began with the help of GB Row Challenge organiser, Jim Bastin, who linked together Sophie, of Modbury, Jess Plail, Stephanie Toogood, Lia Evans and Andrea Harwood (all of East Sussex) plus Charlie Cooper of Portsmouth, and Fiona Jamie of West Sussex.

Aiming to set off from London’s Tower Bridge on June 12, the crew will row down the River Thames in a Rossiter 3 ocean rowing boat provided by GB Row Challenge, and out into the North Sea where they will take a clockwise direction around mainland Great Britain.

The non-stop unsupported circumnavigation will see the crew row night and day in a shift pattern of two hours on and two hours resting.

They will rely on solar power for their navigation equipment, live off ration packs and use a desalinator to produce drinking water.

They women will face extreme weather including strong winds and stormy seas, along with notorious whirlpools around Scotland.

They will also battle physical and mental exhaustion, salt sores, busy shipping lanes and physical exposure to sun, rain and wind.

But the ladies hope to enjoy some beautiful calm seas too.

The crew are raising money for Renewable World, a charity that supports developing communities with renewable energy source.

They will also be working with Portsmouth University taking water samples to assess for pollution in our seas.

Sophie, who underwent a below the knee amputation in 2017, trained at the Dart Totnes Rowing Club and went on to be selected for the GB Para Development squad.

She won bronze at the British Rowing Indoor Championships in December 2018.

Sophie, an intern sports therapist for Plymouth Albion Rugby Club, explained: “I was born with Talipes Equinovarus (clubfoot), suffered with arthritis in my early 20’s and developed Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome.

“After several operations and losing the chance to pursue my lifelong dream of becoming a nurse, I opted for a below the knee amputation in 2017 and needed further surgery in 2020.

“I enjoy taking part in various challenges varying from a Midnight Walk whilst using crutches in 2010, to the more recent Somerset 525 virtual rowing champs, Dorset Conquer the Cape 725km indoor and outdoor rowing, to the Three Peaks Challenge for Love Rowing.

“As I face challenges daily, I thought why not add another by taking on a row around Great Britain!

“This will be a huge achievement for me and certainly shape me as a person.”

The first GB Row Challenge took place in 2005 when a four-man team set a world record for unaided rowing around Great Britain in 26 days, 21 hours and 14 minutes.

Sophie and the crew are preparing both mentally and physically for the challenge by learning to navigate and training hard – including a recent 12 hour practise row at Dart Totnes Rowing Club.

Interested passers-by stopped to chat to the team and enjoy a home-made cream tea donated by Julie Rowdon.

The club also hosted a fundraiser featuring local bands ‘Little Mischief’ and ‘Equally Guilty;’ food donated by Devon Food Action and raffle prizes donated by local businesses.

Skipper Jess said: “We are delighted with the success of our Totnes fundraising event and so grateful for the support of local people.

“When we are at sea, suffering exhaustion, sea sickness and battling, wind, tides and jellyfish, we will remember the support that we have experienced and it will spur us on to achieve our World Record.”

The team aim to raise £60,000 towards the cost of the challenge. Each rower has put in £5,000 and are hoping to raise the rest through sponsorship.

They also aim to raise £10,000 for the Renewable World charity.

For more information visit www.allsystemsrow.co.uk