Wife asks 'why' as husband admits he's always running off

A mental health nurse is preparing to row across the Atlantic Ocean in his biggest challenge yet which made his wife question "why?".

Damian McCafferty, 45, from Blundellsands, will row for a total of 12 hours a day for 44 days – including missing Christmas at home – as part of the World's Toughest Row challenge, to raise money for children's hospice Claire House.

The 45-year-old will set off on his huge challenge, as part of a 12-person crew, from the shores of Tenerife in early December and arrive in Antigua 3,000 nautical miles later, to support children with life-limiting conditions and their families. Despite battling marathons across the Sahara Desert and climbing mountains, this will be his toughest challenge to date.

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Throughout his life Damian has raised thousands for charity through ambitious challenges, so extreme it leaves his wife questioning "why?"

Damian, who retrained as a CAMHS nurse at Flintshire six years ago after leaving the army, said: "I’ve run marathons, driven across the Sahara Desert, and climbed mountains to support charities close to my heart. But this will be a tough schedule from the moment we set off from Tenerife and it’ll be mentally and physically challenging.

"It means living in a small vessel with 11 other rowers, and being unable to see land, so it’s not for everyone. For me, it’s not just about conquering the Atlantic Ocean. It’s also about helping Claire House to make a difference to the lives of children and families who need it most."

Damian has always taken part in intense challenges since he was a child. He told the ECHO: "It [World's Toughest Row] has been on my bucket list since I first came across it in 2015 and now I want to do it. I have been doing things for Claire House for five years, it is a good organisation I can get behind and I do these sort of things anyways, so it is good to do it for such a good charity. Doing it for charity keeps you driving forward when you think about giving up.

"I have been doing them [challenges] since I was at school, I joined the army straight from school, I have always been fitness driven and love anything to do with getting outside. I don't like sitting in the house, I'm always doing activities, then they have just always progressed into more. Even this weekend I have just done a 47 mile walk around Windermere, it took 19 hours, it was brutal in the heat up and down the hills on the hottest day of the year so far.

"But this will be my hardest challenge yet. I have done multiple day expeditions before but the fact that I will be confined to a boat for 44 days, it won't always be a physical challenge but a mental one too."

The challenge will consist of three hours of rowing followed by three hours rest for 24 hours a day, for 44 days. Damian is hoping to be home for the second week of January. He added: "I enjoy being adventurous and outside, it may be horrible when I'm doing it at the time but it will be the trip of a lifetime and if Claire House gets the benefit from it then I am more than happy to put myself through it.

"My wife always supports me but always asks why I am doing it, we have done a lot of travelling and scuba-diving across the world together. But from the day she met me, she has been used to me running off and doing a marathon or something daft. I find it quite a privilege that I can do something I enjoy and inspire someone to say here is a fiver or a tenner to donate to charity."

Working with children and families with complex needs, many who have experienced serious illnesses and trauma, has spurred Damian on, despite facing his own health challenges. Damian said: "Many of the children and families at Claire House experience heartache through terminal and serious illness or loss.

"Knowing this, and working alongside people in similar situations, inspired me to help. Despite having suffered with arthritis and chronic pain since my early thirties, I keep going, raising money and awareness through endurance events. I’m committed to the last step – or, in this case, row.

"I know I can do this, I just want the good to come out of it as well. I have been doing this sort of stuff since I was a kid and Claire House does amazing work."

As a member of the HM Coastguard Crosby, Damian is no stranger to navigating, sometimes unpredictable, waters. However, as well as the immense challenge of completing the journey that spans thousands of miles, he now has the mammoth task of fundraising and finding a sponsor. He has set up a fundraiser page for donations towards his immense challenge, you can donate here.

Claire House Events Fundraiser Mark Pearson said: “Claire House only exists because of the incredible support that we receive from the local community.

“By rowing across the Atlantic Ocean, Daman is undertaking an epic challenge, and we really appreciate that he has chosen to support Claire House by doing this.

“We can’t wait to follow Damian’s row across the waves and wish him well. His support means that local children can continue to get the expert care that they need, either at our hospice or in the local community.”

Damian has also set up an Instagram account where you can follow all of his fundraiser challenges that he undertakes leading up to his biggest dare yet. You can follow his page here.

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