A Charity Rowing Challenge was recently held at The Fitness Centre at JHQ, where 15 men and women endured an intense 20 hour rowing session to raise money for a kid’s charity. 

Each rower had to do 7 shifts, rowing for an hour followed by a 2 hour break before starting another stint.  Each rowed 66,700 metres in all which is equivalent to 41 miles.  The team rowed 1 million metres in all.

The GOC’s wife, Camilla Caplin, turned up just before 12 pm to officially open the charity challenge.  She said “I’m delighted to be asked along today.  It’s a very worthwhile cause and I take my hat off to all these ladies and gentlemen who are giving their time and energy and I wish them all luck and hope they raise lots of money for a very good cause”.

Camilla Caplin with words of encouragement at the start of the challenge.

Money raised will go towards Radio Clyde’s ‘Cash for Kids’ charity.  Organiser, Stf Sgt Max Aitkin from J4 Log Support UKSC, said “It’s a charity that I’ve supported for the last few years.  There is a lot being done for military charities just now, so this is something a bit different”.   Max hopes to beat last year’s total of £1,664 for the charity.

Max says “We didn’t do the Justgiving.com, we just organised individual sponsor ship.  I feel confident that we’ve raised more than last year.  We should get the final total in the next few days so fingers crossed”.  Max is going back to Radio Clyde on 2nd December to present the cheque.

The rowers kept themselves alert by watching TV, chatting amongst themselves, and they also had visitors popping in to boost their morale.  They all brought food in to share and sustain them through the night.

The Rowing Challenge finished at 8.40 the following morning with Comm ESG, Brigadier John Watson, taking part in the final leg.  The exhausted team then headed home for some well earned sleep, confident that a record amount of money had been raised. 

Max was very appreciative of all the support from his team members.  He said “I’d like to thank them all for participating and helping raise money for such a worthwhile cause, I really appreciate it”.

Team at then end of the challenge. (Brig Watson in centre).