Lee Spencer shows Britain still has a spirit of adventure
Amputee Lee Spencer’s Atlantic rowing triumph is the latest in our long history of derring-do
Daily Express – Monday 18 March 2019
No one need be defined by their disability.
Lee ‘Frank’ Spencer is a former Royal Marine who served for 24 years without suffering any serious injuries. One day in 2014, while off duty, he pulled over to help a motorist on the M3. He was hit by flying debris and had to have his leg amputated. That day, his life changed for ever.
Now known as ‘The Rowing Marine’, Lee is not only a Royal Marine Commando, Atlantic Ocean rower and multi Guinness World Record holder, he is a father, husband, inspirational speaker and guitar playing pirate.
Below are the details of past and future endeavours…
Triathlon of Great Britain
Lee Spencer’s Triathlon of Great Britain by swimming the channel, a distance of approximately 21 miles, cycle Lands End to John o’Groats, a further 874 miles, taking in the summits of Snowden and Scarfell Pike and finish with a marathon (official distance 26 miles 385 yards) over Ben Nevis.
The Rowing Marine – A Solo Adventure – The Second Atlantic Crossing
In January 2019 Lee Spencer, a single leg amputee, became the first physically disabled person to have rowed solo across the Atlantic. He smashed the previous able-bodied record, set by Stein Hoff in 2002, by over a month and gained two new World Records.
Row2Recovery – Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge – The first Atlantic Crossing
On 20 December 2015, Row2Recovery’s third Atlantic rowing crew departed the Port of San Sebastian on La Gomera, one of Spain’s Canary Islands. After 46 days; 6 hours; 49 minutes Team Endeavour arrived in English Harbour, Antigua on 4 February 2016, becoming the first all-amputee team to row across an ocean.
Force of Nature – Amazonian Kayak – August 2021
In August 2021 the Forces of Nature team will kayak across the South American continent from Nauto (Peru) through the Amazon basin in Brazil to the Atlantic coast. The team will cover a total distance of 3500km lasting approximately 6 weeks.
Our Charities
The Endeavour Fund is a programme managed by The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry. It supports wounded, injured and sick Service Personnel and Veterans using sport and adventurous challenges as part of their recovery and rehabilitation. The fund plays an important role in ensuring that more Servicemen and women have the opportunity to rediscover their self-belief and fighting spirit through physical challenges. AIG, the global insurance company, signed up in 2015 as the lead corporate partner of the Endeavour Fund for three years. More information can be found at www.endeavourfund.co.uk.
Royal Marines have always been the first to understand, first to adapt and respond and the first to overcome – that’s the Commando Mindset but today Royal Marines and their families are fighting battles they cannot win alone. We are the Royal Marines’ own Charity and are uniquely placed to understand, respond and react, enabling Marines and their families to overcome their challenges including life changing injury, life limiting illness, mental disability, transition to civilian life and even poverty. We can target your support across every need to ensure no one is left behind.The Commando Mindset isn’t always enough, with your help the Royal Marines Family will win their battles. Our mission is to raise resource and provide the best possible charitable support for Royal Marines, veterans and their families. More information can be found at www.theroyalmarinescharity.org.uk.
