Over 100 islanders are today taking part in an ‘oar-some’ fundraising event which will see them row the distance from Jersey to Sark on indoor rowing machines to raise money for a local cancer charity.
Macmillan Jersey’s annual Rowathon is set to take place from 08:00 to 16:00 on Saturday 8 March at the Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel.
Various teams of six will row 30km – the equivalent of the distance from Jersey to Sark – on indoor rowing machines.
There are prizes up for grabs for the fastest team of each session, which are allocated by time slots.
During the event, their progress will be tracked on a live leaderboard showing time passed and distance completed.
Previous events have also included music and entertainment provided by DJ Nelson.
This year’s Rowathon is being sponsored by Standard Bank Offshore – ensuring that all the funds raised will go directly to Macmillan Jersey.
The Jersey-based charity supports islanders with cancer, as well as their families, by providing essential care and comfort to these individuals during their most difficult times.
Macmillan Jersey is fully funded by donations, and receives no financial assistance from Macmillan UK or the Government of Jersey – so events like the annual Rowathon are essential in raising much-needed funds and awareness.
CEO Stephanie Gibaut said: “We are full – we’ve got 20 teams taking part, some corporate and some community teams.
“Often people arrive thinking it is for the light-hearted, but it’s actually very hard!
“Our team are very excited to see everyone.”
Terriann Allen, a member of the CrossFit Valiant team taking part in the fundraising event this weekend, said she was “feeling motivated”.
“I’ll be thinking of the charity each time I row,” she added.
“When you know it’s for charity, it gives you another type of adrenaline and motivation and events like this bring us together as a community.”