Several members of Ross-on-Wye Rowing Club took part in the Great Ouse Marathon on Sunday, and as well as completing a 22km row they also raised money for charity.

The event is organised by the Isle of Ely Rowing Club and covers 22km upstream on the Great Ouse from Denver to Queen Adelaide Bridge.

All Classes of boats are entered women; masters, novice, mixed adaptive and juniors (J14-J18).

Sarah Sykes and Nicky Wilde, in a women’s Masters D, raised money for Macmillan Cancer Support. Jess Taylor, in a J17 single, was raising money for National Star at Hereford, which provides education, personal development and specialist therapies for young people from Herefordshire with complex disabilities. They are traising funds to transform the outdoor area into a vibrant learning area for teenagers with complex learning difficulties.

Jess is sixteen and has just completed her GCSEs at John Kyrle High School.

The other Ross entries were Tim Ball and Jim Pettipher in a mens pair, Howie and Richard in a mens pair, Elliot Ball and Dale Kernott in IM2 singles, Harley Kernott in a J16 single and Geraldine Calcraft in a masters B single.

It was a hard weekend’s rowing into a strong headwind but all participants completed the marathon. Geraldine Calcraft won a pot in her category for successfully completing the marathon in two hours.

They are very grateful to everyone who helped to arrange this event and look forward to next year, despite returning home extremely tired and with blisters.