About Us — The Deep Notes 2028 Expedition

Meet The Crew

We are rowing to create meaningful support for vulnerable families and NHS healthcare workers back home. All donations go into one shared pot supporting both our target charities and expedition needs.

Mandy Hadley

The Skipper

Mandy is a dedicated mum, animal lover, choir singer and technology professional who believes anyone can achieve extraordinary things when they decide to try. As a single parent who has raised two children while building a successful career in technology-focused investment and commercial growth, she knows first-hand the strength that comes from resilience, determination and choosing to keep moving forward even when life feels demanding.

Mandy's love of horses has been one of the most defining influences in her life. Mandy owned her horse, Saria, for 31 years, embracing natural horsemanship after a chance meeting with Monty Roberts in 1988. The partnership that was then built with her horse taught her profound lessons about communication, empathy, trust and psychological connection. These are the lessons that have shaped the way she approaches people, challenge and uncertainty.

Preparing for this row is not about considering herself exceptional, it's about discovering what becomes possible when you commit to something bold, embrace uncertainty and trust that growth happens outside your comfort zone. Courage is not the absence of fear, it's the decision to act anyway with determination to keep going even when it gets tough, all demonstrated daily by Refuge, Mandy's charity focus for this crossing. Mandy understands the importance of safety, independence and support for women and children who are rebuilding their lives.

Away from training, Mandy's world revolves around her two children: a daughter who plays high-level football and a son studying Motorsport Engineering. An animal lover, owner of two dogs and a tortoise, when she's not working or training, you'll often find her singing with her choir, where she finds joy, connection and a sense of community. Through this adventure, Mandy hopes to show that remarkable achievements are possible for anyone who decides to take the first step, then the next and the next.

Suzie Hackman

The Engine Room

Suzie works in patient safety within the NHS, helping to improve care for patients and their families. She is also a proud mum to two fledgling adults, a sea lover and one half of The Deep Notes, preparing to row the Atlantic Ocean in pursuit of challenge, adventure and personal growth.

The crossing is not just a test of physical endurance. Through her work in the NHS, Suzie sees every day how resilience helps people navigate difficult circumstances. She is continually inspired by healthcare staff who provide exceptional care under pressure, and by patients and families who face illness, uncertainty and recovery with courage and strength.

These experiences have reinforced her belief that resilience is not about extraordinary feats. More often, it is found in the small but significant moments: showing up when things are difficult, adapting to setbacks and continuing to move forward despite uncertainty.

By supporting My Hospitals Charity through this challenge, Suzie hopes to celebrate the dedication of NHS staff and the resilience of the patients and families they care for. She also hopes to encourage others to recognise their own potential, proving that remarkable achievements are possible when we take the first step and keep going, even when the outcome feels far beyond reach.

When she's not training for life at sea, Suzie enjoys sea swimming, keeping active in the gym, singing in a choir, attending book club, practising wellbeing, walking her dogs and making the most of life on the coast with family and friends.

While the challenge is undoubtedly demanding, we are committed to embracing every moment of this adventure. There will be sunrises and storms, laughter and tears, and, true to our name, plenty of singing as we make our way across the ocean one stroke at a time.