78 Days at Sea for Charity

Sue McMillan

Meet Sue McMillan

GE Money Home Lending manager, Sue McMillan, rowed across an ocean and helped to raise almost £30,000 for charity by taking part in 2005 Atlantic Rowing Challenge. Sue was a member of Team Rowgirls, which aimed to be the first and fastest four-woman team to row 2,937 miles across the Atlantic Ocean, racing against 25 other single, double and four-person teams from the Canary Islands in Spain to Antigua in the Caribbean.

Team Rowgirls was sponsored by GE Money Home Lending, other organizations, families and friends to raise funds for UK charity, The Shelterbox Trust, part of SHELTERBOX Project, administered through the UK’s Rotary Club of Helston-Lizard and the USA's Lakewood Ranch Rotary Club, together with new partner clubs in Australia and Canada.

Sue dedicated a lot of personal time to put in months of pre-race training in preparation for this grueling event as well as spending more personal time to raise awareness and generate funds. Her calm and practical approach was particular vital during times of stress when equipment failed.

The team faced many challenges during their life-changing experience, battling enormous waves, being accompanied by sharks and other marine creatures, remaining resolute for several days when winds and ocean currents sent the boat backwards and nearly being mowed down in the night by huge ocean-going ships!

"The boat started rocking and water was cascading over the side," recalls Sue. "I clambered down the boat but was still attached by my harness at the other end. We saw fins flashing through the back hatch and the shark was trapped and struggling to release itself from our ropes. It put a hole in the boat and nearly capsized the crew! We called for help but the support boat but was 1,000 km away. My only option was to grab the knife and cut the drogue trip line. We all breathed a sigh of relief as the shark left. We picked up speed and got as far away from the shark as possible!"

Home Lending employees were able follow Sue's journey through daily postings on the Rowgirls website and via regular entries in Home Lending's weekly email news bulletin. On return to Home Lending, Sue shared her personal experiences of this life-changing journey with the local Women's Network and through other presentations

"The Atlantic Challenge was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life," said Sue. "The extreme weather conditions made it far more difficult than I had anticipated! Having said that, it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to do something physically and mentally challenging whilst raising money and awareness for a good cause. I am happy and proud to have completed the Challenge and very grateful to GE Money Home Lending for supporting us on this venture."