As the Row For Freedom team prepare for their departure from La Gomera this weekend, we thought it would be a good idea to introduce the crew who will be spending the next 40 days and 40 nights at sea.

Andrea Quigley, 45, is one of Row For Freedom’s six-woman crew and, as skipper, will play a critical role in navigating their course safely.  Andrea lives in Boulder, Colorado and works as a Learning and Professional Development Coordinator, for Navigant Consulting.

With an infectious love for the ocean, she has 7 years’ experience at sea – having been part of the crew on Oceanographic ships, as well as managing a worldwide ocean temperature programme from container ships and tankers.

An avid outdoor enthusiast, Andrea has been rowing (for pleasure as well as competitively) for five years in addition to enjoying other sports including sea kayaking, scuba diving, skiing and mountaineering ...  to name just a few!

Most excited about: Being out on the open ocean under human power, especially at night under the stars.

Biggest challenge while at sea: Being at the mercy of Mother Nature and dealing with adverse weather conditions, as well as finding the mental strength to keep going through the pain and discomfort of rowing for 3,000 miles.

What you’ll miss most: Walking my dog and looking at the Rocky Mountains every day.
Luxury item on board: My camera. In addition to my love of everything water-related, photography has been my hobby since childhood.

Andrea says: “When I learned about Row For Freedom, I instantly knew that to bring more awareness to and raise funds for the cause of Human Trafficking is something I feel intimately connected to as a woman, as a person, and as someone who cares deeply for others. Given the immense challenges, both physical and mental that I will have to endure in rowing across the ocean, it is important for me to have a purpose greater than myself in embarking upon this extreme challenge. I hope that our voyage will help in opening up the hearts and minds of people around the world to the atrocities associated with this modern-day form of slavery.”

Debbie Beadle, 30, lives in High Wycombe in the UK. Debbie has been working and campaigning in the human rights sphere for over 10 years. For the last six years, Debbie has been involved in campaigning, developing research, writing expert reports, training professionals and raising awareness about human trafficking, and has lead youth participation projects in Africa, Europe and South America.

Debbie currently works for ECPAT UK, a leading children's rights charity and partner in Row For Freedom, where she designed and implemented the Youth Programme which supports child victims of trafficking in the UK. Working directly with child victims means that Debbie gets to see firsthand the devastating effect this horrendous crime has on children’s lives.

An outdoor enthusiast, Debbie is no stranger to a challenge, she competes in triathlons and last year completed 30 physical challenges including 190km Bike Ride in the Brecon Beacons, 3.8 km open water  swim in sea and and all day event adventure race, before her 30th birthday to raise money for ECPAT UK.

Most excited about: Being on the ocean, away from civilisation and pushing my body to the limit. Learning new skills about being on sea. I am first mate so have a lot of responsibility on my shoulders.

Biggest challenge while at sea: Getting the whole team into the tiny cabins when weather conditions make it impossible for us to row.

What you’ll miss most: I will of course miss my family and friends, but also the young people who have been trafficked who I work with. They have needed a lot of support and I will not be able to help them when I am away.

Luxury item on board: This is not a luxury item crossing we are going on a speed attempt, but we will be taking our mascot ‘Little Steve’ who was given us by our Ocean Theory Instructor!

Debbie says: “In my work, I see young people who have been abused in the most horrific ways. Each day I am amazed and humbled by how they survive and find strength to live their lives. This challenge will be nothing compared to what these children suffer.

Helen Leigh, 26, lives in the UK, and works for the British Triathlon events team on high profile events including the ITU world championships.
Helen rowed both at club level and at university, where she achieved two British University Championship Medals, and is passionate about pushing herself to the limit.  She already has a host of other challenges lined up for 2012.

Most excited about: Everything about this challenge excites me. I am really looking forward to being in the middle of nowhere, fending for ourselves against the natural elements, having life so basic just eat, sleep, row, eat, sleep, row. I can’t wait.

Biggest challenge while at sea: Coping with the lack of sleep.
What you’ll miss most: Cups of tea!! With no milk on board, not having my usual 6+ cups a day is definitely going to be tough!
Luxury item on board: An ipod, music will be a great motivator during our expedition.

Helen says: “Row For Freedom has opened my eyes to the horrors of human trafficking. I am proud to be part of something that will potentially change the lives of millions for the better through raising awareness and fundraising.  I am also very keen to promote sport to young girls and I can’t think of a better way to be a role model than to row across the Atlantic in a team of six strong and capable women.”

Katie Pattison-Hart, 32, was born in Brunei and now lives in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. After studying financial economics and working for eight years in international banking, she went on to become Sales Directors within a consultancy firm. Katie currently works in events, modelling and presenting, and also coaches gymnastics.
Katie is a keen gymnast, and has previously competed as a spring board and high board diver.  She is constantly challenging herself to try new sports and activities, including snowboarding, Muay Thai boxing and enjoys yoga. Last year, she ran her first marathon in Jordan.

Most excited about: The solidarity of being on the water , seeing the wildlife and being with the girls - working together to tackle the challenges that we will face as a team. I am also excited to be stripped of all possessions, just carrying our basic kit, and about the impact we are having on the charity and the awareness we are raising through this challenge.

Biggest challenge while at sea: Sleep deprivation, and aches, pains and blisters like I’ve never experienced before!

What you’ll miss most: Being in contact with family and friends. Although this is all part of being away from our day-to-day environment and I am looking forward to embracing this.

Luxury item on board: Photos and letters from family and friends to be opened along the way.

Katie says: “The Row For Freedom cause has captured my heart, and I feel privileged to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.  This is the biggest challenge – both mentally and physically – that I’ve ever taken part in, but the sense of achievement at the end of it will be huge

Kate Richardson, 22, is the youngest member of Row For Freedom’s six-woman team.  She lives in Northern Ireland and, having recently graduated from the University of Ulster, is an Applied Behaviour Analysis Therapist and Classroom Assistant.
A sports fanatic and qualified gym instructor, Kate is new to rowing … but more than up for the challenge!

Most excited about: Sea life and breath-taking ocean views, sunsets and sunrises … and making it across it record time!

Biggest challenge while at sea: Being away from my family.
What you’ll miss most: A full night’s sleep, land, a shower and communication with loved ones.

Luxury item on board: My ipod! I need my music and dark chocolate.

Kate says: “The opportunity to use sport to ultimately bring change to this human trafficking crisis is a dream come true.  The thought of rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic, having no previous ocean or rowing experience, is daunting, but knowing I’m making a difference by raising awareness of the injustice of human trafficking will get me through.”

Julia Immonen, 31, is the founder of Sport Against Trafficking – the not-for-profit behind Row For Freedom – and will be leading the six-woman crew as they row across the Atlantic in a double world record attempt. 
Row For Freedom combines Julia’s love of sport and her passion for the injustice of human trafficking.  Having set up a number of anti-trafficking groups, worked with organisations and MPs on high profile fundraising events, and visited safe houses for trafficked women and children in South Africa, Row For Freedom is the latest in a long line of human trafficking campaigning for Julia.

A serious sports enthusiast, loving skiing and surfing, Julia is always trying out new sports and adventures. Julia is already eagerly planning the next exciting Sport Against Trafficking challenge after Row For Freedom!

Most excited about: Seeing nature at its rawest and experiencing being away in such isolation. I can’t wait to see the stars, sunsets and sunrises as well as the wildlife.

Biggest challenge while at sea: Sleep deprivation and maintaining mental self-belief … we will get there!

What you’ll miss most: My family and personal space

Luxury item on board: My ipod – I love music and think it will be invaluable to keep going when I’m tired or need a boost.

Julia says: “I am hugely passionate about Row For Freedom as a positive tool to raise awareness of human trafficking and generate funds that can contribute towards putting a stop to it.  If we’re able to help just one person, then it will all be worth it.  I hope it will inspire others, too, to get involved and shine a light on the injustice of human trafficking.