A TWELVE-HOUR ‘rowathon’ saw members of Bude Pilot Gig Club travel the distance from Bude to the Isles of Scilly, to raise money for Children’s Hospice South West and also help with their training for the World Gig Championships in May.

Organised by Bude Pilot Gig Club, the ‘rowathon’ took place at Morrisons in Bude on Saturday, April 7, running from 8am until 8pm. The club’s goal was to travel the distance of Bude to the Isles of Scilly as they are due to compete at the World Gig Championships in May. Whilst they rowed non-stop for 12 hours on Ergo rowing machines, they also held a bucket collection for Children’s Hospice South West, which provides hospice care for very poorly children and their families at their three South West-based hospices — Little Bridge House, Devon; Charlton Farm, Somerset; and Little Harbour, Cornwall.

Members from both the junior and senior sections of Bude Pilot Gig Club took part throughout the whole day, and also provided further information for anyone interested in taking up gig rowing as a sport. To simulate a 24-hour row, two machines were kept rolling for 12 hours each and in doing so rowed a total of 320,000 meters.

Chairman of the club, Bob Willingham, said: “Thanks to Morrisons and the generosity of the Morrisons customers, they were able to raise £890.57 for Children’s Hospice South West.”