Positive vibes while on water

A CREW of rowers who are crossing the Atlantic Ocean have received well wishes from a several famous faces.

Ollie Phillips (inset), from Shiplake, and his three friends, Tom Clowes, Julian Evans and Stuart Kershaw, are now about halfway through their 3,000-mile journey from San Sebastián de la Gomera in the Canary Islands, to English Harbour, Antigua.

The team have received messages from the likes of fitness coach, Joe Wicks, presenter, Laura Woods and adventurer, Bear Grylls.

Wicks said: “I think it’s an amazing thing you’re doing, I personally just think I wouldn’t last a day.

“I know in my head how far 2,000 miles is, but to do 3,000 in a boat is something else. That’s proper endurance.”

Woods laughed with Mr Phillips about creating a “Christmas quiz” for the crew and Grylls added that he was “cheering” them on.

Grylls said: “We all think you’re amazing and we’re thinking of you all the time. We’re cheering you on.

“You’re living it, you’re doing it, you’re incredible. Never give up. Write it in your head and on your heart.”

Mr Phillips also found time to send a message of his own to Ben Clarke, 12, of Sonning Common, who lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a condition which causes significant muscle weakness, and his brother Zak, eight, after they sent him a message of encouragement.