Cockleshell Heroes
•
cycled the length of Britain on his own, from John O’Groats to Lands End.
In 2008, he seized the world record for cycling round the world – all 18,297 miles – in 194 days. In the summer of 2011, he joined a sixman team to row from Resolute Bay in Canada to the North Magnetic Pole.
But even he admitted he had been humbled by the endeavours of the Cockleshell Commandos. He said: ‘Remember, we were doing it in August, when conditions were much more favourable.
‘They were doing it in December, with almost no food, with h thousands of enemy troops lying before them.’
Earlier this year Mr Beaumont’s boat capsized during a bid to break the world record for rowing across the Atlantic. He and five team mates were left clinging to their life raft before eventually being rescued by a cargo ship.
The Scot said: ‘I have an incredible respect for open waters. I prepared for the French trip as much as possible. I knew those tidal rushes were coming and I did appreciate there was a degree of risk. For us it was scary when it happened, very disorientating disorientating. It took us 20 minutes to get through to quieter waters.’
He added: ‘Major Hasler’s wife is still alive and acted as a patron for our trip.
‘I just wanted to educate people to their history. We stopped at the buildings where they stopped. We met people who were well aware of the Cockleshell Heroes.’
The expedition has raised £4,000 for The Stroke Association and The Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund.
To contribute to these charities, visit the Virgin Money Giving website and type in Mark Beaumont.