With action, adventure and a heroic challenge, it sounds like a plot straight out of a Hollywood movie so it’s fitting that Tenacity on the Tasman, a film about Olly Hicks’ attempt to circumnavigate the globe in a rowing boat, is premiering at the Odeon Leicester Square, London, on Thursday 19 November at 7.30pm.

In January 2009 Olly, a seasoned adventurer and long term supporter of our work, set off to conquer one of the final frontiers of human endeavour – rowing solo around Antarctica. After years of careful planning and preparation, Olly set off from Tasmania in a specially designed boat, ready to dedicate the next eighteen months of his life to his extreme challenge. Not content with a gruelling physical and mental challenge, Olly also set himself the target of raising a million pounds for our work.

Sadly, just 50 days into the row, a technical failure on the boat meant Olly had to suspend his row. Tenacity on the Tasman documents Olly’s global sponsorship campaign, the complex preparations and his trials during nearly 100 days in the unforgiving waters of the Southern Ocean.

Although Olly couldn’t complete his challenge this time, he became the only person to have rowed the Tasman Sea from Tasmania to New Zealand. He returned to the UK disappointed but even more determined to conquer his dream one day.

The screening of this thrilling documentary, which was put together by Olly’s friend and project manager, George Olver, will be followed by a Q&A session and a drinks reception. Visit his Tenacity on the Tasman website to find out more, watch the film’s trailer and buy your tickets.

October 2009

back to previous page >