On Friday, 18th October, 2019, a group of Sixth Form students headed down to Coast Coffee Shop, where nestled among the coffee and cakes were some suprising additions - rowing machines and a boat! 

The reason for their visit was to participate in an awareness raising row-a-thon in support of Coast employee Liz Dennett. Liz is currently living with Parkinson’s but has taken on the challenge to row the Atlantic Ocean – departing on 4th January, 2020.  The journey is scheduled to take 45 days and is being undertaken with no support vessel.

As well as an amazing test of endurance, the “Brain Waves” challenge will also provide invaluable research data on Parkinson’s Disease and PTSD for Oxford Brookes University.

The “Brain Waves” boat was parked up in Woolton and our students, who all gave up their own time to participate, had the chance to climb aboard as well as row on the rowing machines outside Coast. 

It was an absolute joy and pleasure to meet Liz and support her in this wonderful adventure.  By the wonders of modern technology, we hope to be able to actually talk with Liz and the other three crew members at some point on their journey.