On Monday, 21 July, Ms Lisa Palmer, Executive Head of Kingsmead College, had the pleasure of welcoming Leanne Maiden (nee Miller – Class of 1999), who visited the school with Gillian Wilkinson to explore the museum and archives, reconnect with the school community, and share her extraordinary journey.
Leanne shared her truly inspiring story of resilience, courage, and determination, her remarkable achievement of rowing solo across the Atlantic Ocean in just 66 days. Her journey is a testament to the power of mindset, perseverance, and believing in oneself, and it left a lasting impression on everyone she met.
Originally from South Africa, Leanne now lives in Scotland with her husband and children. She is visiting the country during her children’s summer school holidays, providing a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with her alma mater.
In 2023 and 2024, Leanne set off from La Gomera in the Canary Islands and rowed approximately 3,000 nautical miles to Antigua, completing the journey in 66 days and 5 hours, significantly beating the estimated 85 day finish time. Along the way, she endured 20 foot waves, a capsized boat, extreme sleep deprivation, salt sores, and intense isolation. To date, only 34 women have attempted this feat solo, highlighting the rarity and significance of her accomplishment.
Leanne undertook the challenge not only for personal achievement but also to raise over £20,000 for three charities: The Polar Academy, Women’s Fund for Scotland, and The Mabel Foundation. She also wanted to show her sons that “ambitious, crazy things” are possible, embodying the spirit of courage and determination she hopes to pass on to the next generation.
Meeting Leanne was a truly inspiring experience, and her story serves as a powerful reminder to the Kingsmead community that with courage, resilience, and determination, extraordinary achievements are possible. We hope to one day welcome Leanne again so that our students can hear her incredible story and be inspired by her remarkable journey.