A BRAVE team of former military service men from Coventry will attempt a world-first row across the Channel on the anniversary of D-Day to raise funds for a children’s charity in the city.
Jacob Coyle, James ‘Priz’ Przybek, Sean Roberts and Connor Gurney will attempt a 115-mile unsupported, continuous row from Southampton to Normandy, recreating the historic D-Day route across the Channel in under 48 hours.
Jacob hard at work on the rowing machine.
The team aims to raise £10,000 for Hallie’s Hideaway, a Coventry-based charity that provides respite breaks for children with life-limiting conditions and their families.
The expedition, titled Operation Neptune 2, takes its name from Operation Neptune – the naval operation that formed part of the D-Day landings in 1944 – and will take place on the same date.
The team is in talks with Guinness World Records to become the first four-person team to complete this route by row.
None of the team – who come from backgrounds in the Royal Irish Regiment and the Royal Marines – are professional rowers, and the challenge will take them through one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.
They expect the crossing to take around 48 hours, rowing continuously in rotating shifts through day and night.
Former Royal Irish Regiment turned strength and conditioning coach Jacob completes a charity challenge each year – but this year he decided to go even bigger and take on his toughest challenge yet.
He said: “Priz and I originally wanted to swim to Normandy, but after conducting thorough research, we realised that we would likely not finish – or worse – due to dangerous conditions.
“We decided to adapt the challenge by rowing instead. We were advised it would be more suitable to complete the challenge as a team of four, as the smallest boat available is designed for four people.
“Sean and Connor immediately came to mind, and they both said yes without hesitation.”
Jacob said rowing the D-Day route held deep personal meaning for the team members.
“As former members of the military, we feel immense pride in recreating the route taken by Allied forces during the invasion of occupied France.
“All four of us have served more than eight years in the military: Connor, Sean, and Priz in the Royal Marines, and myself in the British Army. This shared background gives us a strong connection to the historic significance of the journey.
“Now that we have all left the military, we miss the camaraderie and sense of shared purpose. Taking on Operation Neptune 2 brings back that feeling and fills us with both excitement and pride.”
Connor and the rest of the team are training hard at Wildcard Gym.
He said the difficulty of the challenge is what attracted them to it.
“All four of us are passionate about adventure,” Jacob said. “To us, life is about following your passions and doing things that both excite and challenge you.”
Three members of the team train and work at Wildcard Gym in Coventry, where they are taking on a gruelling bespoke training programme designed by Ocean Ready.
“We know we are in very capable hands and are confident that, with their support, we can achieve our goal of becoming the first four-man team to row from Southampton to Normandy.”
Hallie’s Hideaway was established in memory of Hallie Ruby Reeve by her parents, Coventry couple Jay and Kim, following her death from Leukaemia at the age of two in 2023 – and it is a cause close to Jacob’s heart.
He said: “I have known Jay for a number of years and completed my first charity challenge in 2023 in support of the ‘Rally for Hallie’ campaign.
“Not only does Hallie’s Hideaway support children facing incredibly difficult circumstances, but it is also a local charity that directly impacts families within the community.
“By raising money for a local cause, we know exactly where the funds are going and who they are helping.”
The team is hoping to attract sponsors to secure the boat and necessary supplies from Rannoch Adventure. Funding will go towards the boat, equipment, and essential supplies required to complete the challenge, and sponsors will have their name and logo displayed on the boat and the team’s clothing.
Operation Neptune 2 is due to take place on June 5 and 6. Visit https://tinyurl.com/49tnvjc9 to donate. Follow the team on Instagram at @operationneptune2.
Visit www.hallieshideaway.co.uk/about for more information on Hallie’s Hideaway.
