Charity rowers raise £10,000 - The Solihull Observer

Charity rowers raise £10,000

Solihull Editorial 2nd Jun, 2015 Updated: 21st Oct, 2016   0

CELEBRATIONS were the order of the day when a team of dedicated rowers raised more than £10,000 for The Brain Tumour Charity.

The 36-strong group took on either a 10km, a half marathon or a marathon indoor row at Touchwood to help raise funds for scientific and clinical research.

The Row For It event was inspired by local mum Ann Atkins, whose 13 year old daughter Iona has been living with a brain tumour for eight years.

Ann only started rowing two years ago but has since become a champion indoor rower. She completed the marathon row in three hours and 27 minutes, which put her first in the world rankings for her age group.




Ann said: “The atmosphere was great and this helped our brave rowers through their challenges, despite some of them being in intense discomfort.

“Thanks to the support of everyone involved we have raised more than £10,000 for a fantastic charity that is trying to save people’s lives.”


Ann was joined by other champion rowers and beginners alike.

Among those was 57-year-old Rob Shaw from Sheldon, who was training for the charity rowing event last year when he himself was diagnosed with a brain tumour – and this year he bravely took on the 10k.

Graham Chapman, from Solihull, who completed a full marathon, said: “The row was painful but the elation at the end made it all worthwhile.

“This whole experience, from my own personal rowing achievement to the fundraising, has been fantastic and I’m so pleased I decided to take part.”

Over 9,300 people are diagnosed with a brain tumour each year, yet less than 2% of cancer research funding goes on brain tumours in the UK.

The Brain Tumour Charity is the UK’s largest dedicated brain tumour charity, committed to fighting brain tumours on all fronts.

The Charity funds pioneering research, raises awareness of the symptoms and effects of brain tumours and provides support for everyone affected to improve quality of life.

Buy Photos

Buy photos online from the Solihull Observer newspaper.

Announcements

Weddings, Birthdays, Bereavements, Thank you notices, Marriages and more.

Subscribe

Receive a weekly update to your inbox by signing up to our weekly newsletter.

Reader Travel

Check out all of the latest reader travel offers to get your hands on some free gifts.