In an extraordinary feat of endurance and determination, Fife-based knitting and yarn entrepreneur Milli Abrams has successfully completed a solo, unsupported row across the Atlantic Ocean. Covering a staggering 3,000 miles from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to English Harbour in Antigua, Milli officially finished The World’s Toughest Row, all while raising vital funds for two charities close to her heart: The 2 Minute Foundation and CHAS (Children’s Hospices Across Scotland).
A Remarkable Achievement Against the Odds
Standing at just five feet tall, Milli Abrams is now recorded as the shortest and lightest person ever to row across an ocean solo. Her participation was particularly notable as she was the only solo female competitor from the United Kingdom in this year's gruelling race. The challenge began on Sunday, December 14th, following months of intense physical training and dedicated fundraising efforts.
Milli undertook this monumental journey in her ocean-rowing boat, aptly named Knitannia in homage to her lifelong passion for knitting and yarns. Reflecting on her motivation, she stated, "I decided to row the Atlantic because I wanted to do something hard. Just me and the sea. I wanted to know what I’m capable of." This adventure also served as a powerful celebration of her recovery from long Covid, representing a personal triumph over physical and mental limits.
Driven by Charitable Causes
The two charities benefiting from Milli's incredible effort are The 2 Minute Foundation and CHAS. The 2 Minute Foundation is a UK environmental charity that inspires people to take small, achievable actions for the planet, such as its famous "2 Minute Beach Clean" initiative. Claire Giner, charity manager for The 2 Minute Foundation, expressed immense pride, saying, "Milli’s row perfectly captures what we stand for - proving that individual action, no matter how small or how ambitious, can inspire communities to come together and protect the planet."
In a symbolic gesture to mark each of the 3,000 miles rowed, the foundation mobilised its national community to collect one piece of litter per mile. Supporters far exceeded this target, gathering an impressive 3,564 pieces of litter from various locations, thereby creating a significant collective environmental impact in Milli's honour.
The second charity, CHAS, provides essential care and support across Scotland for children with life-shortening conditions and their families. Milli shared her deep connection to their mission, noting, "They work across Scotland in homes, hospices and hospitals, with the ambition that no one should face the death of their child alone." She emphasised that knowing her efforts would support these vital causes helped sustain her through the most challenging moments at sea.
From London to Fife: The Story of Tribe Yarns
Milli Abrams is the founder of Tribe Yarns, a business she established in 2018 in Richmond, London, as a curator of super high-quality yarns from around the globe. Following a prolonged recovery from Covid, she relocated the enterprise to the rural Balcaskie Estate in the East Neuk of Fife. The business now thrives in its new home, operating from a renovated cowshed and serving a global community of knitters and creatives passionate about sustainable, vibrant slow fashion.
Milli feels a profound connection to her coastal surroundings in Fife, which provided the perfect training ground for her Atlantic challenge. She remarked, "I feel absolutely connected with the sea here - it’s within spitting distance for my mandatory swims and salty strolls." Her journey stands as a testament to resilience, community spirit, and the power of individual action to drive positive change for both people and the planet.
