A HAZLEMERE woman who is currently taking on a world record rowing attempt across the Atlantic said she is looking forward to having Christmas dinner when she returns home.

Debbie Beadle is one of five members who are attempting to complete the quickest-ever all female transatlantic row unaided while raising money for ECAPT UK.

The team set off on the 3,000 mile ‘Row for Freedom’ challenge from the Canary Islands to Barbados on December 7 and were covering 60-70 miles a day but have recently slowed to 40.

Speaking to the Bucks Free Press on a satellite phone on Saturday from the Atlantic ocean Debbie, 30, said: “We are doing really well. We are hoping to get the record.

“It is like rowing through treacle at the moment which makes us feel down. We did find some tinned peaches though, which cheered us up.”

The team need to arrive into Port St. Charles by 9am on January 24 to beat the current World Record.

And they have certainly had their fair share of ups and downs.

They suffered a major desalinator malfunction which means they are now using a hand-pump desalinator to provide enough fresh water for the crew and they have to foot steer as their auto helm broke.

Debbie said: “We have got so much going on. Everything broke. We are just trying to get on with it and are having a laugh.

“When we set off it was a bit of a thrown in the deep end. Myself and the others didn’t have any sea experience and we went into really high seas. Now we are not fazed by anything. Now it is quite calm.”

And she has also had to cope with fish flying at her as the waves come over the boat, including one yesterday which hit her in the face.

But the thought of why they are doing it helps get them through. Row for Freedom has teamed up with ECPAT UK (End Child Prostitution, Pornography and Trafficking) to lead a campaign calling on the UK to provide safe accommodation and guardianship for child victims of trafficking.

She said at the heat is unbearable so they are finding it difficult to sleep during the day. They are rowing two hours on and two hours off. And as I called they were trying to bail water out of their hatches, where the food is kept.

Debbie said: “We talk about what we will do when we get home a lot. The first thing we talk about is eating breakfast. I will go to my mum’s and have Christmas dinner when I get home.

“We all talk about our families and realise how we should really cherish our friends and family more.”

Debbie is the youth programme coordinator at ECPAT UK.

She said: “The money goes to such a great cause. We want to raise as much as we can to help the victims of trafficking. We really want to make a difference.”

To sponsor the team and to follow their progress go to www.rowforfreedom.com.