Sarah: Still speaking up for Arthritis Care

Three months since lone rower Sarah Outen made landfall on the paradise island of Mauritius, capturing three world records and attracting thousands of pounds for Arthritis Care, her fundraising efforts continue.

Having already raised over £18,000 for Arthritis Care, the young Oxford graduate is still pulling in the pounds with talks about her solo Indian Ocean marathon in memory of her late father, Derek, who was severely affected by rheumatoid arthritis.

‘It was very much a voyage around my father, who lived with rheumatoid arthritis for twenty years before he died suddenly in 2006. I tell audiences: “Your donations go towards supporting the millions of people in the UK who have the various forms of arthritis, so please, dig deep”,’ says the 24-year-old, who rowed her 19 foot cockleshell over 4,000 miles from Western Australia to Mauritius, braving the mountainous waves of an ocean notorious for its pirates and sharks.

Now safely back on dry land, Sarah, accompanied by her boat ‘Serendipity’, nicknamed 'Dippers', is criss-crossing the country giving talks about their salty adventures – including their capsizes, brushes with whales, ocean storms, loneliness, bombardment by flying fish, and a terrifying crash into the reef on the final day. 

It took marine biologist and teacher Sarah three years to plan the marathon, and to hone her physical fitness, technical skills, mental stamina and motivation. Combined with first-hand tales of adventure, encounters with ocean wildlife, and dramatic video of the journey, Sarah’s insights into the psychology and practicalities of lone expeditioning mean her talks intrigue all kinds of groups – with everyone curious to inspect Dippers, and to imagine 124 days alone at sea in the tiny craft.

‘It’s great fun and hugely interesting to meet such very different audiences. So far I have spoken at corporate events and school assemblies; I’ve lectured in boardrooms, and conjured up the ocean in Scout huts; shared my lessons with executives at business breakfast clubs, luncheons, and also told my tale to some very merry revellers at after-dinner events.

'It’s all go – tomorrow I’ll be in Chester Cathedral, next week at Windsor Castle, and the following week back in my beloved Oxford. Each day is different and I’m loving the challenge of tailoring my tales to the varied groups’, says Sarah, who will be talking to Arthritis Care’s regional committee for Central England on 24 November. 

If you still want to donate, you can visit Sarah’s JustGiving page.

Catch up with Sarah

23 November:  BBC1 7.30pm East Midlands Today will screen a documentary about Dippers and Sarah adventuring on the high seas in aid of Arthritis Care.

30 November: 7.30pm Oakham School Chapel, Oakham, Rutland: Sarah will give a full-length fundraising talk, complete with slides, video, and a chance to look over Dippers. Tickets available via hello@sarahouten.co.uk or by calling 07916 167540

Do you know a school, women’s group, sports club, or other association which would be interested in hearing about Sarah’s amazing voyage to honour her late father and to raise funds for Arthritis Care? If so, email info@womenspeakers.co.uk

Her compelling and inspiring story is versatile so that any message or motivation can be woven in to suit her audience.