Ripon dad's death by suicide inspires grieving family to tackle epic 3,000 mile row for charity
A grieving Ripon family who tragically lost their husband and father to suicide are to row the Atlantic in his memory.
Robert Ash, from Ripon, died by suicide in September 2023, leaving his wife Charlotte and their three grown-up children Camilla, James and Henry.
The Ashes are embarking on this epic challenge despite having no rowing experience at all in aid of the charity Suicide&Co, which has provided vital counselling for the family, following Robert’s death.
Charlotte, 62, said: “The raw grief comes and goes in waves.
"Two years on, it is still an incredibly powerful emotion for me.
"There is a permanent dull ache for what should have been”.
“Robert’s death was so shocking and so unexpected that it’s difficult to put what happened into words.
"He was a jolly, calm and placid person who had a strong and loyal friendship group.”
"I came home one day and police were in my driveway and they told me a body had been found.
"Honestly, I had absolutely no idea that such a thing could ever have happened, it was just a normal day at the office and then suddenly that.
"It was, and is, utterly devastating.”
It was Robert and Charlotte's youngest son Henry, 31, who came up with the idea for the row.
"I'm not a rower, we're not really a water-based family," said Henry.
“But I've just always had an urge to row an ocean from quite a young age.”
"A few people from school had done it, I'd always wanted to do it so now is as good a time as ever in dad's memory to take it on."
The Ash family aim to buy their boat shortly so they can start training on the water and will also need to complete courses on sea navigation, weather routing and first aid.
"They say that rowing an ocean is 90% getting to the start line, the row is the victory lap of your campaign," said Henry.
The family will be setting off on their 3,000-mile unsupported row from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua in December next year.
They expect the row to take about 45 days, depending on the weather.
To prepare for their massive challenge, the family is spending a lot of time in the gym and James and Henry are running the London Marathon, both as fundraisers and to build their stamina.
The goal is to raise £300,000, of which more than £200,000 will be going to Suicide&Co.
The rest will cover the cost of the row, including the boat and all the training.
Henry said :"Suicide&Co have been an utter lifeline for us, they have provided us with counselling after dad died and given us a community in which we can grieve together.
"I hope anyone going through the same as what we are feel able to reach out and know there is hope after the darkest of times."
Since the launch of their campaign in October, the family have already raised more than £105,000.
Amelia Wrighton, CEO and C0-founder of Suicide&Co, said: “the Ash Family’s courage in sharing their story and taking on this huge physical and mental challenge for Suicide&Co is immense.
"We couldn't be more grateful for their support.”
To donate to the Ash family’s charity mission, visit www.ashfamilyrow.com