Oscar Bond’s Post

We'll precursor this by saying that Tom is fine, and continuing on his journey, but as the video caption says; Tom has capsized. 😱 • This was 100% prepared for, in fact it was expected...that didn't make it any less scary though. 😨 • A capsize in an ocean rowing boat is a violent affair, it takes an ENORMOUS force to roll one of these boats, but the Atlantic has no limits as far as strength is concerned, and when a large powerful wave hit him sideways on, it flipped him over like it was nothing. 🔁 • The boat immediately self-righted, as it's designed to do (as we've talked about before). Tom was inside the boat at the time sealed in, and safe. • He lost his EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon - his big red button in case of emergency) but he has a spare one of them. He lost a water container, but he has several spares of these. And he damaged his aerials, which he has since fixed. All of this really does show that Tom's excellent preparation, and his 'belt and braces' approach to taking plenty of spares, has been key to him being able to continue on safely at this stage. 🙌 • A tough time for Tom, but he's already feeling a lot better, and powering his way towards the UK once more! 💪💪💪 • Remember, Tom is rowing the Atlantic to raise money and awareness for Mind - please donate to this brilliant cause today at https://lnkd.in/e55nzqnz 🌐 • A huge thank you to all of Tom's sponsors who have helped make this amazing challenge possible: - Gold sponsors: Everlast Gyms Tritax Symmetry Tritax Big Box REIT plc - Silver sponsors: VW&S Group BOOM POWER - Bronze sponsors: Immobilier du Pont - Le Châble Hotel Farinet Verbier • #mindoarmatter #atlanticrow #atlantic #oceanrow #mind #mindcharity #mentalhealth #Tritaxbigbox

The conditions today are fast, and there will be some rain, but the winds are heading in the right direction. Peaking in the early afternoon at 27 knots, with 35 knot gusts, it's going to be an adrenaline fuelled time on the oars. But unlike the last gale where he was forced to wait it out in the cabin, this one may allow him to remain on the oars. 🚣♂️ • It's not as powerful as the last one (the last one was gusting at 43 knots), and the last one was trying to push him almost directly north at one point. If you look at the bottom line in this chart it shows the wind direction and it's generally helpful in it's direction. ↗️➡️↘️ • This means that Tom should get a good shove towards Penzance, which he was hoping for - it's a challenging place to be right now, but Tom is managing it all incredibly well, and with conditions like these, he'll be back on land sooner than he thought! 💪 • Remember, Tom is rowing the Atlantic to raise money and awareness for Mind - please donate to this brilliant cause today at https://lnkd.in/e55nzqnz 🌐 • A huge thank you to all of Tom's sponsors who have helped make this amazing challenge possible: - Gold sponsors: Everlast Gyms Tritax Symmetry Tritax Big Box REIT plc - Silver sponsors: VW&S Group BOOM POWER - Bronze sponsors: Immobilier du Pont - Le Châble Hotel Farinet Verbier • #mindoarmatter #atlanticrow #atlantic #oceanrow #mind #mindcharity #mentalhealth #Tritaxbigbox

The closer he gets to to the UK, the more frequent the traffic is, as highlighted by this big ship! 🛳️🚢⛴️ • The English Channel is THE busiest shipping lane on the planet (it has the Guinness World Record for it!) with over 500 ships passing through daily. 🤯 • Whilst the majority of vessels that exit the western end of the channel tend to start heading more south, there are plenty that will be heading towards Tom so he may have a few more AIS alarms going off. (AIS = Automatic Identification System that alerts him to other vessels nearby him, and an alarm sounds when one is on course to collide with him or have a near miss). ⚠️ • Tom has a weather system moving in today that will be challenging to operate in, but it should have moved through less than 24 hours after it begins. At that point he looks to have decent weather for a few days as he approaches land! 💪 • Once the bad weather has blown through and he's back on his way, we should be able to give an initial ETA for those wanting to be there at the finish. (It will be heavily caveated with the fact that it can change a lot if the weather changes!) 💨 • Tom is rowing the Atlantic to raise money and awareness for Mind - please donate to this brilliant cause today at https://lnkd.in/e55nzqnz (link in profile) 🌐 • A huge thank you to all of Tom's sponsors who have helped make this amazing challenge possible: - Gold sponsors: Everlast Gyms Tritax Symmetry Tritax Big Box REIT plc - Silver sponsors: VW&S Group BOOM POWER - Bronze sponsors: Immobilier du Pont - Le Châble Hotel Farinet Verbier • #mindoarmatter #atlanticrow #atlantic #oceanrow #mind #mindcharity #mentalhealth #Tritaxbigbox

🚨New Blog Post🚨 The Fastest Sector is happy to be a part of the Wheels of Change family to promote the new series combining cars and charities which you can learn all about by clicking the link below ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/eq8QY9dH #cars #wheelsofchange #thefastestsector #blogpost #carblog #f1blog #newblog #newarticle

As we gear up for our 5th charity ball, reflecting on the journey, we can't help but feel a renewed sense of purpose. This year, we're back stronger than ever. Traditionally, my charity challenges have been marked by rest, sleep-outs for the homeless, and wild adventures supporting organizations like Loros. However, this milestone year called for something extraordinary. Over a few brainstorming sessions with my dream team – the incredible charity cyclist Darren and the marathon man Kevin – we pondered over a challenge that would not only commemorate the occasion but also push our limits. The idea of a triathlon emerged, but seasoned Darren cautioned that it might not attract the attention we seek. Enter Kev, with his wisdom, suggesting a catchy name for the event – and so, the "Fiveathlon" challenge was born. Picture this: 5 half Ironmans 70.3 miles, in 5 diverse locations, spanning 5 consecutive days. It's not just a physical feat but a testament to the power of collaboration. We're not just running for ourselves – we're running for a cause. We are supporting our 3 finalists of charity of the year, STEPS, FOCUS and HEARTWIZE. These worthy charities fuels our motivation. My role in this endeavor? Well, according to my dream team, it's to get in shape – having never swam in open water and carrying a fair few extra pounds there’s some work to do and here's my public commitment to it. By sharing this, I'm hoping it becomes a source of motivation and accountability. But we can't do this alone. We're calling on our network, friends, and colleagues to join us for a leg of this journey and, more importantly, to support us in raising funds for these great charities. Stay tuned for updates from Kev as he navigates the logistics, and feel free to ask me about my training – I'll need all the accountability I can get! Let's make this Fivathlon challenge more than just a physical feat; let's turn it into a testament to the strength of community and the impact we can create together. 🏃♂️🌈 #Fivathlon #CharityRun#CommunityImpact

There's an old saying that goes like "if you want to change yourself, dare what you have never dared before.” It's with this spirit that, on 27th April, I will be taking part in the 'Race Around The Netherlands' (https://lnkd.in/dVGngjUi) - the most challenging bike race in the Netherlands. It's a fully self-supported bike race over 1,900 km, a part of the challenge is for the individual biker to come up with their own strategy for tackling logistics around arranging accommodation, planning breaks, food and even sleep. In a nutshell, it's a bikepacking competition. I take this challenge for many reasons; one of them is that I believe we have undiscovered physical and mental capacities but we don’t use them because we are surrounded by barriers we do not see. Break those barriers and you’ll find your real self. Another reason I do this is for a cause. I strongly believe that change can be brought about only with personal commitment and collective involvement. So, as I'm busy with training and preparations, please join me in my first ultra-cycling challenge by morally supporting me through a donation to help Justdiggit fight climate change by re-greening Africa (Bundraiser: a fundraiser for a cooler planet!) #ultrachallenge #walkintheparknot #fundraising #racecycling #Conservation

Hi All, Exciting news! We are gearing up for a 1200-mile charity cycle from London to Oslo, crossing 8 countries this July. This event is a massive endeavor, and we are seeking some assistance and guidance to make it a success. Here are some areas where we could use your help: - Travel/Health Insurance: Any advice on the specific type needed for this challenge? - Cross Country Borders: Information on restrictions and permissions. - Accommodation: Suggestions for Airbnb or hotel chains spanning multiple countries. (We believe we now have this sorted but extra ideas are welcome) - Media Contacts: Recommendations to boost interest in the Charity Cycle in each country. - Alerting Authorities: Do we need to inform authorities in each country? - British Embassies: Is it beneficial to contact them in each country? - Sponsorship: Seeking support for bike spares like tyres, inner tubes, and chains. - Food/Nutrition: Tips on the best foods/drinks for novice riders on such a journey. Any assistance is invaluable as we set off in just 4 weeks, cycling through England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. For more details and to show your support, visit: https://lnkd.in/eZhQuZWS

Yesterday, over 50,000 people ran the London Marathon After months of training and mindboggling commitment, they pushed themselves to the absolute limit and achieved something really amazing. What if that effort had gone towards defending life on Earth?   I have incredible respect for marathon runners, I couldn’t do it. They have achieved something really fantastic, and I salute them - they are a testament to the power of human will But we’re deep in a planetary emergency and that means society has to reconsider its priorities Many people say they don’t take part in climate action because they just can’t find the time in their busy lives. Yet many marathon runners are overworked professionals with young families, and they still found time to train because they made it a personal priority Many ran as a way to make the world a better place, to raise money for their important causes. It's a wonderful commitment, thank you. But what if those hundreds of hours of training instead went to confronting the power structures that make their cause necessary in the first place? I worry about what this says about our sense of agency. Folk seem to feel the only way to make a difference is to raise money for charities and campaigners. We feel it’s the job of others to make the world better, so we leave it to the professionals (like most of my network here) and support them with cash   But that model is failing. Charities and campaigners can’t do it on their own, not even with unlimited budgets. Leaving action to others is why we’re in an emergency in the first place To get out of this we need to reach social tipping points, when momentum towards change becomes unstoppable. To reach it, we need everyone to get involved, and make climate action every bit as much of a personal mission as running a marathon is Many runners feel real elation - it's part sense of achievement & part runner’s high, but often it seems more than that. It seems also to come from having had a real sense of purpose. A deep satisfaction from committing oneself to something bigger than our day-to-day grind Well there’s no greater sense of purpose to be had than coming together with your fellow humans to fight for a better future & the survival of all we love. It’s not a struggle with a clear end point like a marathon, but you get more than a PB and a medal You get to know you tried

***INCOMING!!!*** • Tom has been absolutely sending it over the last couple of days, and conditions like these really help him make some good progress. 💪 • Now that he's been out there for such a long time, he's become completely used to how the sea moves, and he can almost predict how each wave will affect him before it's reached him! 🌊 • He also knows that when the waves are going in the same direction as him, and are big enough, if he pulls on the oars at the perfect moment, he can capitalise on those bigger waves and actually get a bit of surf in! He doesn't need to pull any faster, but his timing is everything. This not only has the benefit of getting him there quicker, but it makes him feel about ten times stronger as he flies along the surface of the ocean! 🏎️ • He's now about 5/6 days away from landing in the UK - it's not going to be easy, but he's on the home straight. This man is doing an unbelievable job! 🙌 • Tom is rowing the Atlantic to raise money and awareness for Mind - please donate to this brilliant cause today at https://lnkd.in/e55nzqnz 🌐 • A huge thank you to all of Tom's sponsors who have helped make this amazing challenge possible: - Gold sponsors: Everlast Gyms Tritax Symmetry Tritax Big Box REIT plc - Silver sponsors: VW&S Group BOOM POWER - Bronze sponsors: Immobilier du Pont - Le Châble Hotel Farinet Verbier • #mindoarmatter #atlanticrow #atlantic #oceanrow #mind #mindcharity #mentalhealth #Tritaxbigbox

🌟 Rotork Community Challenge Reflection: Turning Challenges into Triumphs 🌟 The Rotork Community Challenge was not just a project; it was a heartfelt endeavor to make a difference for a charity in need. Our initial excitement to organize a thank-you event for Care Home Volunteers took an unexpected turn when we learned that the charity was on the verge of closure, adding a layer of complexity to our mission. Undeterred by the unexpected hurdles, our team refused to accept defeat. In the face of adversity, we pivoted and devised an alternative plan to express our gratitude – sending pies and Christmas cards to the volunteers. The road was filled with ups and downs, but 💡giving up was never an option💡. This experience reinforced a powerful lesson: life is unpredictable, and projects may not unfold as planned. However, it is during these challenging times that resilience and determination become paramount. The heartbreaking news of the charity's imminent closure could have derailed our efforts, but instead, we chose to persevere and find creative solutions. The essence of the Rotork Community Challenge went beyond completing tasks; it was a test of our ability to work cohesively as a team and demonstrate leadership in the face of uncertainty. The project's success wasn't just measured by completion but by our collective determination to make a positive impact despite the odds. A heartfelt thank you to Gemma Ker-Bridges from the Student Experience Office for her unwavering guidance throughout this journey. Special recognition goes to my teammates,Enakshi Varma and Dev Krishna Kathil, for their dedication to keeping our team united through the project's highs and lows. I would like to extend my gratitude to Rotork and express my appreciation to Maria Christou, Viktoriia Korsun, and Gemma Ker-Bridges from the University of Bath School of Management student experience team for orchestrating this enriching 9-week challenge, during which we gained valuable insights and enhanced our overall experience. No matter how tough the challenges were, we proudly announce that we successfully completed the project, working at our level best to secure prize money for our charity. This experience underscores the importance of endurance, adaptability, and a shared commitment to a greater cause. Let's carry these lessons forward as we continue making a positive impact in our communities! 💪🌐 #RotorkChallenge #Teamwork #Resilience #CommunityImpact #NeverGiveUp #hardwork #hardworking #teambonding #teaming #upsanddowns