Heledd’s Atlantic Adventure – 3,000 Miles Later!

Heledd’s Atlantic Adventure – 3,000 Miles Later!

At Calon Cymru Fostering, we’ve always known how incredible our colleagues are. But one member of our team has just returned from an achievement that truly is in a league of its own.

Our Quality Assurance Manager, Heledd Williams, has successfully rowed 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean as part of The World’s Toughest Row – Atlantic, and we could not be prouder.

From La Gomera to Antigua – 50 Days at Sea

In December, Heledd set off from La Gomera in the Canary Islands alongside Denise Leonard, Helen Heaton and Liz Collyer. Together, they formed Merched Y Môr (meaning Women of the Sea) the first all-female crew from Wales to take part in this remarkable challenge.

Merched Y Môr

Fifty days later, after spending Christmas Day in the middle of the Atlantic, they arrived in Antigua in early February having rowed over 1.5 million oar strokes between them.

Out of 43 crews from around the world, Merched Y Môr finished 37th. While the event is a race, the team didn’t enter as a competitive crew. Their goal was simple and powerful: to cross the ocean safely, remain friends, and prove that ordinary women can achieve extraordinary things.

And they did exactly that.

Life on the World’s Toughest Row

The race (formerly known as the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge) is widely regarded as one of the toughest endurance events on the planet.

Heledd and her crew rowed in two-hour shifts, 24 hours a day, through constantly changing conditions.

“The conditions changed every single day. Some days we were battling 3-metre swells and strong winds, other days it was relentless sunshine and flat seas which meant a real slog on the oars. Our sixth week was especially wet — we were soaked for days and climbing into our cabins in damp clothes for rest before putting the same wet kit back on. That tested us mentally as much as physically.” - Heledd

It was physically exhausting and mentally demanding — but also, in Heledd’s words, “an adventure and a half.”

Why Take on a Challenge Like This?

Heledd has always had a strong connection to the sea, having lived in Pembrokeshire all her life. She began rowing in 2017, initially looking for an outdoor sport to stay active, and quickly fell in love with it.

“I love rowing and I love being at sea — it’s always been something that clears my mind after busy days in social work. When I saw a post looking for a fourth crew member back in 2022, I thought, why not? Four years later, after all the planning and fundraising, we were rowing across the Atlantic. It still feels surreal.” - Heledd

For Heledd, rowing offers calm after busy days in social work. But this challenge was about much more than personal fulfilment.

The crew wanted to inspire “ordinary” girls and to believe that extraordinary things are possible. None of them are elite athletes. They are simply four women leading ordinary lives who decided to test their limits.

Supporting Four Incredible Charities

Merched Y Môr undertook the row to raise funds for four charities close to their hearts:

• Sea Trust Wales
• Popham Kidney Support
• RNLI
• Action for Children

After two years of determined fundraising, the team reached their £125,000 target to fund the campaign and purchase their Rannoch RX54 ocean rowing boat. The boat will now be sold, with proceeds going directly to the charities. Donations are still coming in, and the final fundraising total is yet to be confirmed.

The Role of Calon Cymru

Calon Cymru Fostering was proud to sponsor Merched Y Môr, with our logo displayed on the boat as it crossed the Atlantic.

Heledd has shared how invaluable that support has been.

“Calon’s support has been invaluable. Without organisations like Calon backing us, we simply wouldn’t have reached our fundraising goal and our charities wouldn’t benefit in the way they now will. I’m also incredibly grateful for the extended leave that allowed me to take on this challenge — that level of support means a great deal.” – Heledd

“We were delighted to support Merched Y Môr as sponsors and to see our logo travel across the Atlantic. More importantly, our contribution has helped four fantastic charities benefit from the funds raised. Supporting our communities is at the heart of what we do, and this was a powerful way to do just that.” - Scott

We were also delighted to support Heledd with extended leave to take on this once-in-a-lifetime challenge. After a well-earned week of rest, she returned to work — bringing with her stories, resilience, and memories that will last forever.

“At Calon Cymru, we believe in supporting our staff not only professionally but personally. Enabling Heledd to take extended leave was something we were proud to do. She has returned with even greater resilience, perspective and determination — qualities that strengthen our whole organisation.” - Scott

More Than Just a Row

More people have been into space than have rowed across the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a statistic that puts into perspective the scale of what Heledd and her teammates have achieved.

But perhaps the most powerful part of this story isn’t the distance, the waves or the weather.

It’s the message.

You don’t have to be extraordinary to do extraordinary things.

We are incredibly proud of Heledd and the entire Merched Y Môr crew. They have shown courage, determination, teamwork and heart, qualities we see in Heledd every day at Calon Cymru.

Welcome home, Heledd. 🌊