In March 2024, renowned ultra-endurance athlete Angus Collins announced a bold new expedition: a solo, unsupported row spanning 2,000 miles around the coastlines of England, Scotland, and Wales. This formidable journey, expected to challenge the limits of both physical stamina and mental resilience, is not only a feat of endurance but also a powerful campaign to raise awareness—and crucial funds—for men’s mental health.
Collins, who has previously completed world-record-setting crossings of the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans, is aiming to raise £250,000 for James’ Place, a UK-based charity focused on providing immediate, life-saving support to men experiencing suicidal crises. His latest endeavor seeks to bring greater visibility to the often-silent struggle many men face with mental health issues, and to promote openness, understanding, and compassion around mental well-being.
A Route of Purpose and Endurance
The route will see Collins navigating treacherous waters along the rugged coastlines of the British Isles, enduring isolation, unpredictable weather, strong tides, and the mental demands of navigating alone for weeks—potentially months—on end. Launching from a yet-to-be-announced point on the southern coast of England, his journey will circle the entire British mainland, ending where it began in a symbolic full-circle tribute to personal and communal resilience.
Unlike previous rows across expansive oceans, this coastal journey poses constantly changing maritime conditions, narrow passages, and heavy marine traffic—all while Collins operates completely unsupported, relying only on his own strength, experience, and preparation.
“This row is about more than just physical challenge,” Collins told The Times. “It’s about showing that even in the most solitary of circumstances, you’re not alone in your struggle. There is help, there is hope, and we must talk about it.”
Backing James’ Place: Turning Awareness into Action
The beneficiary of this monumental journey, James’ Place, is a mental health charity that provides free, non-clinical crisis support to men who are at risk of suicide. With centers currently in Liverpool, London, and Newcastle, James’ Place delivers life-saving interventions tailored to men’s needs, offering immediate, stigma-free access to care in critical moments.
Collins’ £250,000 fundraising goal will support the charity’s expansion plans and operational costs, helping it reach even more men in urgent need. His high-profile effort is also expected to increase the visibility of James’ Place and inspire public conversations around male mental health, where silence and shame too often lead to tragedy.
From Ocean Rower to Mental Health Advocate
Though Collins is no stranger to endurance feats—having rowed across some of the planet’s largest oceans—this challenge marks a distinct shift in focus. While past endeavors emphasized records and exploration, this journey is deeply personal and humanitarian.
As mental health challenges continue to affect men across all walks of life, with suicide remaining a leading cause of death among men under 50 in the UK, Collins joins a growing movement of athletes, artists, and public figures using their platforms to encourage vulnerability and promote help-seeking behaviors.
His solo row will serve as a mobile platform for awareness, with live updates, social media dispatches, and public outreach efforts documenting both the journey and its mission.
A Symbol of Strength, Solitude, and Support
Angus Collins’ 2,000-mile row is more than a physical odyssey—it’s a call to action. By undertaking one of the most demanding solo endurance challenges in recent British sporting history, Collins seeks to shine a light into the darker corners of men’s mental health struggles and remind individuals that asking for help is a sign of strength—not weakness.
As he rows forward with purpose, his story becomes a living metaphor: that even in isolation, we are all connected by the need for understanding, support, and hope.
