‘Broken but proud’: Row4MND battle storms in latest leg quest to circumnavigate Great Britain
A Leeds-based member of a crew trying to circumnavigate Great Britain as part of a challenge to raise millions in the fight against Motor Neurone Disease (MND) has declared that they are “broken but proud” after finishing the latest leg.
Row4MND reached dry land in Scotland this weekend after a massive journey from South Wales over the last week. The latest leg saw them beset by low temperatures, gales and heavy seas and they were even stormbound in Northern Ireland.
The crew of four, who are in the second year of a four-year challenge to raise £57m in the fight against MND, includes Leeds-based Mike Bates and fellow Yorkshire resident Gareth Timmins.
The duo visited the Rob Burrow Centre for MND before they set off on this latest row.
Speaking after making it back to dry land, Mike said: “We did it. The team have been amazing all week, not just the crew on the boat, but everyone else who is a part of what we’re trying to do. Broken but proud.”
They landed at the tiny village of Port Logan in Dumfries and Galloway in the early hours of Saturday (March 14) having set off from South Wales the previous weekend. The latest row took in three countries – Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Row4MND co-founder, business leader Matt Parker, said: “When we first planned our mission over four years, we knew that the first two would be really tough. So far, we’ve visited all parts of the United Kingdom, hearing incredible stories of bravery from the MND community along the way.
“Ultimately, when we’re out on the water, we have the privilege of choice – a freedom that isn’t afforded to those affected by MND.
“While we might have had a tough day on the oars, we know that when we wake up, we’ll be fine. The people living with MND don’t have that luxury. That’s why we’re doing this.”
Fellow co-founder and experienced ocean rower Mike added: “Our crew’s mantra is that safety is always our number one priority. The weather wasn’t on our side, but we’ve still managed to cover an incredible 250 nautical miles over the past week, and we spent some valuable time gelling as a crew.
“We have achieved our objective of getting to Scotland with the added bonus that we also visited Northern Ireland: a true United Kingdom adventure.
“Our next and arguably toughest leg, will see us complete our circumnavigation of Great Britain, by traversing the rest of the Scottish coastline, including the Western Isles. We’ll be re-launching in early May to complete this challenge, having to contend with vicious tides and unpredictable seas.”
Row4MND is a challenge that is raising money for three charities to use in the search for a cure to MND: the Motor Neurone Disease Association; the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation; and Leeds Hospitals Charity.
One in 300 people will suffer from MND, for which there is currently no cure, over a lifetime, with six new diagnoses every day in this country.
While awareness around the disease is increasing, particularly with high-profile sufferers such as rugby players Doddie Weir, Rob Burrow and Lewis Moody bringing attention to the cause, only a fraction of medical research spend is currently being dedicated to the condition.
Once the crew has completed year two’s challenge in May, they will refocus on crossing the Pacific – from California to Hawaii – in 2027, before attempting the world record row between New York and London in 2028.