We are delighted that Fraser has joined our BRIT Ambassador family.
Fraser rowed the Atlantic in 2018 and was part of the Safety Team in 2019 and 2020 for Atlantic Campaigns; the event organisers of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge (TWAC). Fraser has served with the Royal Air Force for 22 years.
“Throughout my 22 years in the Royal Air Force, I have first-hand knowledge of the importance of maintaining good physical and mental health and wellbeing. Having support around me throughout my career has been vitally important and it is worrying that the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting on both existing mental health difficulties and the mental and emotional health of many new and returning students.
With many young adults and students being unable to socialise and feeling isolated, and many team sports, activities and training unable to take place, I am aware that there are many factors that have led to an increase in the number of students and young adults experiencing mental health challenges.
Knowing that a vast number of young adults, and elite athletes (including Ocean Rowers), are living with mental health challenges, the British Inspiration Trust’s Vision resonates with me both personally and professionally; uniting Paralympians, Olympians, Sports Personalities, Adventurers and Explorers, to deliver inspiration, encouragement and support to the millions of students at universities and colleges throughout the UK is a fantastic initiative.
The British Inspiration Trust (BRIT) Vision is to support young adult and student mental health throughout the UK. The BRIT 2021 Challenge is a UK-wide feel-good fundraiser that is enabling students and young adults of all abilities to take part wherever they are (at home or on campus) and feel connected and part of a team. BRIT have designed the challenge so that it is inclusive and therefore enables students and staff of all abilities to take part; by hand-cycling, cycling, wheelchair pushing, swimming, walking, jogging, running, rowing or paddling (canoeing, kayaking or paddle-boarding). All that universities and colleges need to do is embrace the challenge, enter a team and champion the opportunity to take part. Teams can be a whole university, students’ union, campus, department or even a sports team; the idea is to encourage as many students and staff to take part as possible.
I am honoured to be joining the BRIT Ambassador family to support and improve young adult mental health and will do all I can to encourage fellow Adventurers to join me as BRIT Ambassadors and champion the BRIT Challenge. I would be thrilled to support students and staff at Bangor University, should they enter teams in the BRIT 2021 Challenge.”
Fraser has served with the Royal Air Force since 1999 and over the past 22 years has worked in numerous roles including writing software for the Nimrod to providing engineering support to UK Special Forces Chinooks on operations and training. He is currently a Human Factor and Error Management facilitator at RAF Valley on Anglesey, Wales.
Between 2016 and 2019, Fraser was the Campaign Manager and an Ocean Rower for Row4Victory. In 2018, as part of Team Row4Victory, Fraser rowed 3000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean in 39 days in remembrance of 100 years since the end of the Great War and in support of the Royal British Legion and Soldier On! He project managed the campaign, raising the £100,000 needed to take part in the event and went on to raise a further £30,000 for charity.
n 2019 and 2020, Fraser was part of a dedicated Atlantic Campaigns Safety Team for the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge (TWAC). The Safety Team offered preparatory training courses, pre-shipping inspections, pre-launch inspections and 24/7 duty cover to the entire fleet for the duration of their crossing; supplying weather, leadership, teamwork and technical advice as well as executing and managing the Crisis Operations Plan in the event of an emergency rescue situation.
In 2020, Fraser founded Victory Adventurers who provide a range of services including safety and compliance assurance inspections, point of contact crisis operations, campaign advice and preparatory training to leading global endurance and adventure event organisers and elite athletes.