Howard Civil Engineering, in conjunction with Leeds Christmas Charity Lunch, has donated £20,000 to a father who is embarking on solo row across the Atlantic Ocean to raise funds for Leeds Hospitals Charity!

Mike Bates, who has dubbed his fundraising challenge The Atlantic Grappler, is aiming to raise £100,000 to benefit the hospital unit which saved his son’s life 10 years ago.

Born prematurely, Mike’s son Gabriel contracted meningitis and was cared for by staff on the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Leeds Children’s Hospital during his first few months.

Now, former marine Mike is preparing to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean and has been fundraising diligently to raise awareness of his cause.

In the two years since Mike started fundraising, the Atlantic Grappler has received support from hundreds of donors. He has even gained the attention of A-list actor Tom Hardy, who is an ambassador for REORG Charity which supports serving and ex-military personnel!

We are pleased to say that Howard Civil Engineering’s £10,000 sponsorship of The Atlantic Grappler has been generously matched by Leeds Christmas Charity Lunch meaning that, at the time of writing, Mike is less than £5,000 away from his £100,000 target!

Last summer, Mike rowed five marathons in 18 hours at the AJ Bell Triathlon in Leeds.

Commenting on the mammoth donation, Mike said: “I can’t thank Howard Civil Engineering and Leeds Charity Lunch enough for this most generous support. This campaign is much more than a personal journey; I want to genuinely change the future for children who need intensive care and people who will use this campaign as a catalyst to discover their own adventurous spirit.

“I’m extremely humbled by your belief in this campaign to raise funds for Leeds Hospitals Charity,” he continued. “It’s a solo ocean row, but definitely a team effort!”

Howard Civil Engineering’s managing director has offered his full support to The Atlantic Grappler.

“Mike’s dedication and perseverance to this challenge is truly an inspiration to us all, and I cannot think of a better charity to benefit from his efforts,” he said. “Howard Civil Engineering has proudly supported Leeds Hospitals Charity in the past, and we are looking forward to seeing the difference our donation will make to children’s lives across West Yorkshire.”

Mike will start his solo row across the Atlantic in December 2022, battling sleep deprivation, salt sores and physical extremes with only two oars and a 24ft rowing boat.

“I’ll be left alone with my own thoughts, the expanse of the ocean, and the task of getting my boat safely to the other side,” he said. “More people have reached the summit of Everest or travelled into space than have successful rowed an ocean.”

No pressure, Mike!