Charity, Sport | Posted on November 11th, 2026 | return to news

Poole woman takes on 3,000-mile Atlantic challenge for hospice

A 25-year-old woman from Poole is preparing to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean in a bid to break a world record and raise £25,000 for Forest Holme Hospice Charity.

Jenna Vincent will join fellow adventurers Liv and Meg as part of the Just Row With It team competing in the 2026 World’s Toughest Row, setting off from La Gomera in the Canary Islands on December 12 for a gruelling 3,000-mile journey across the Atlantic to Antigua.

With an average age of just 24, the trio hope to become the youngest female team of three to row across the Atlantic, spending up to 60 days at sea battling towering waves, sleep deprivation, and extreme physical and mental challenges.

Remarkably, the three women were complete strangers before joining forces. Jenna, who grew up in Poole and works in yacht brokerage, discovered an online advert for a third crew member while travelling in Australia. Despite having no previous rowing experience, she embraced the opportunity and has since undertaken an intensive training programme.

Jenna’s motivation is deeply personal. At just 12 years old, she experienced Forest Holme’s compassionate care when her godmother, Wendy, was receiving treatment for terminal lung cancer. Years later, the hospice also cared for her grandmother during her final days.

Jenna said: “I’ll be forever grateful for the care they gave my family, so being able to give something back through this challenge means a huge amount to me. I hope the money we raise will help other local families receive that same support when they need it most.”

Having previously cycled the length of the UK for Forest Holme, Jenna aims to raise £25,000, with the trio collectively targeting £75,000 for three charities close to their hearts.

Claire Cooper from Forest Holme Hospice Charity said, “Jenna’s determination to take on such an extraordinary challenge is truly inspiring. We’re incredibly grateful that her family’s experience of Forest Holme has motivated her to support us once again, helping ensure other local families can receive the same compassionate care when they need it most.”

To support Jenna’s challenge, visit givestar.io/gs/just-row-with-it or follow the team’s journey on Instagram @justrowwithit2026.