Mayo men prepare to row the Atlantic for Cancer Fund for Children
The Westport duo are launching its community campaign in support of Daisy Lodge Mayo
Two men from Westport are preparing to take on one of the world’s toughest endurance challenges by rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean to raise funds for Cancer Fund for Children and support the opening of Daisy Lodge Mayo.
Tom Bourke and Bryan Hyland will compete in the World’s Toughest Row in December 2026, despite having no previous rowing experience before committing to the challenge.
The pair are currently training on Clew Bay ahead of the race, which will see them row from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua in the Caribbean.
Their campaign, known as The Daisy Voyage, aims to help open the doors of Daisy Lodge Mayo, a new therapeutic short-break centre being developed on the shores of Lough Corrib near Cong. The centre is expected to welcome families next spring.
To officially launch the campaign, the Mayo duo are inviting the public to a special event at The Tile Warehouse on Thursday, May 21 from 5.30pm.
The launch event will give people the opportunity to meet the team, see the rowing boat and hear more about the challenge and the charity it supports.
Chief Executive of Cancer Fund for Children, Phil Alexander, praised the initiative.
“We are incredibly grateful to Tom and Bryan for taking on such an extraordinary challenge to help open the doors of our second therapeutic short-break centre in Cong,” he said.
“The Daisy Voyage is not just a remarkable physical feat, it’s a powerful act of kindness that will make a lasting difference to so many families across Ireland.”
The campaign has already attracted strong backing from businesses across Mayo, including The Wyatt Hotel, Elverys Intersport and several other local companies supporting the fundraising effort.
Speaking ahead of the challenge, Tom Bourke said the motivation behind the row is simple.
“We’re not trying to prove anything. We’re doing it to give something back, for children and families going through far tougher battles than us,” he said.
Bryan Hyland added: “The training can be tough, but the reason behind it keeps us focused. If it helps even one family, it will all be worth it.”
With training continuing on Clew Bay, the Atlantic challenge is already becoming a major community effort across Mayo, with supporters following the crew’s preparations ahead of the 2026 crossing.