Nine women from Ross-on-Wye will complete a 14 mile “Ma-ROW-thon” in the inaugural Regatta London down the River Thames to celebrate life and friendship on the water.

Each member of the crew has their own story of surviving life-threatening conditions, physical and mental. Women with cancer, auto-immune diseases and tragic bereavements, each of them found life-saving support through their rowing friendships at Ross Rowing Club.

Imagine the water equivalent of the London Marathon, where World Record holders start at the front, and amateurs in fancy dress at the back. The Ross-on-Wye women will be competing hard but may struggle to reach the medal positions. Instead, in honour of their own survival, and in memory of others not so fortunate, they will give themselves wings by dressed up as Angels.

“There is something special about being on the water in this beautiful setting on the Wye, surrounded by the love and care of your friends. It feeds the soul and makes life worth fighting for,” said Sally Pettipher, cox of the boat, and cancer survivor. “I love rowing and I love the people within rowing, and when a new charity started up that promised to change lives through rowing, I knew I had to support it.” 

The women have pledged to raise £3,000 for the newly established LOVE ROWING charity which aims to create accessible and inclusive rowing programmes to underrepresented communities in the sport.

Captain, Annie Williams, who is a retired Headteacher and has had several health scares in recent years, told the Ross Gazette: “Rowing is not just about elite athletes, we row for fun and friendship, and to keep ourselves sane and healthy.”