Dean Fitzmaurice
Age: 42
Occupation: McDonald’s Franchisee
Hobbies: Rugby 1st, golf second……oh and rowing now!
Food I will miss the most: McDonald’s of course closely followed by greedy teds pizza!
I joined the Army at 16 as a Combat Medical Technician, serving tours in Kosovo and Iraq. Following this travelled the world in corporate security working for international engineering companies finishing up living in Dubai for 5 years before returning to the UK to start my business.
What I am looking forward to during the row: Finding out how far I can push myself mentally and physically.
Richard Hornsey
Age: 41
Occupation: Company Director of GRAFT
Hobbies: Burning rowing machines, sinking boats, befriending marlins and general piracy 😉
Keeping fit (CrossFit) motorbikes and house renovations if that’s a hobby or a punishment?
Food you will miss the most: bread and butter. Staple of every Yorkshire meal.
I’m a short fat ex commando so perfect build for rowing 😉 but extremely driven and competitive. I don’t back down from a challenge but like to think I have a level head. I’m known for throwing myself 100% into challenges and not backing down so hope to bring this mentality to the team. Humour is key to me and I’ll always try use humour to push through tough times.
What I am looking forward to during the row: Having a social black out. Running multiple customer facing businesses and remote teams means I’m constantly on my phone. Taking this away from me will at first be a struggle but I think will do me the world of good. I’ve done some sailing in the Atlantic before so can’t wait to see all the amazing sights again like the milky way and sea life.
Nick Perks
Age: 50
Occupation: Builder
Hobbies: Cycling, Travelling, Watching Sport and annoying my kids Ellie and Nathan.
Food I will miss most: EVERYTHING! Can’t stop eating
What I am looking forward to during the row:
Firstly seeing Antigua on the horizon for the first time, but also being in a team environment that has to work hard and look out for each other, Not being stuck in traffic jams they are draining me.
From the age of 16, I served 9 years in the army and I found myself thriving in a team environment. My love for sport saw me playing rugby and football for many years. I have completed many cross country cycling tours such as 7 countries in 7 days for my local hospice. I love a challenge and I hope this row will push me to my limits both physically and mentally.
Matthew Pitchforth
Age: 42
Occupation: McDonalds Franchisee
Hobbies: learning to row, sea sickness prevention & cookery course in dehydrated meals 😂
Keeping fit, always up for a challenge and having fun with the family.
Food you will miss the most: Pizza, Ice Cream & Sunday dinners.
Used to be really fit and done loads of different challenges over the last 20 years, then hit middle age and spend too much time in the pub justifying that walking the dog there is enough exercise!!
I have a wife and 2 kids, we have a great family life living on a small farm in Yorkshire. I love a challenge and the thought of conquering the Atlantic. It gives me goosebumps every time I think about it.
My kids just seem happy that they get a holiday in La Gomera and then a few weeks after again in Antigua!! I’m hoping that this is something that will inspire them and others. In order to achieve you need to work hard and I’m sure this is going to test every part of me.
What I am looking forward to during the row: The challenge, the experience and the legacy of completing the hardest endurance race in the world. We only get one shot at life so make the most of it. I love a story and I’m sure that in returning from Atlantic there will be plenty of them!