The founder of a Cornish business is leading a sustainable mission across the Atlantic to raise £200,000 for charity. This December, Dan Dicker, founder of Perranporth-based sustainable drinkware brand Circular&Co, will row 3,000 miles of open ocean alongside friends Jason, Jon, and Steve. The team will take on the ‘World’s Toughest Row,’ starting in San Sebastian de La Gomera, Spain, and finishing in Nelson’s Dockyard, Antigua. Funds raised will support Diabetes UK, Cancer Research, and The Final Straw Foundation. “This mission is about inspiring change and encouraging everyone to embrace circularity in their daily lives,” says Dan.
Jason, a physiotherapist, will monitor the team’s physical and mental health, compiling reports to highlight resilience under challenging conditions. Teachers Jon and Steve plan to deliver live lessons from the Atlantic with the theme ‘We’re Changing Tomorrow Together.’ Their lessons will inspire global students to discuss marine pollution and environmental innovation.
The mission also includes collaboration with Professor Richard Thompson OBE of Plymouth University to track plastic pollution using satellite-based software.
The challenge was officially announced on 6th September at the University of Plymouth’s Marine Station, where local students explored the boat and learned about the crew’s sustainable approach. Reflecting on the journey, Dan said: “This idea started, as many of these things do, as a chat down the pub – and now we’re rowing the Atlantic! We’re thrilled to be raising funds for causes close to our hearts.”
The charities are deeply personal to the crew. Jason’s son, Jake, has lived with diabetes since the age of ten, Dan lost his mother to cancer, and The Final Straw Foundation aligns with their mission to keep oceans clean. Together, the team aims to inspire change through action and innovation.
Circular&Co. designs and manufactures a range of award-winning, Circular Reusables and Returnables, leading the transition away from single-use forever. Since its origins 20 years ago, the business has been driven by the sustainable principles of Circular Design. They believe in the power of scale for good and work with major corporations and brands advising on circularity and designing circular products into their supply chains.