FARMERS helped raise more than £150,000 for charity after rowing 3,200 miles across the Atlantic Ocean.
Rod Adlington, who runs Adlington Turkey Farms at Balsall Common, and Guy Minshull, an arable farmer from Kenilworth, were members of the four-strong Brightsides crew which recently completed an epic trans-Atlantic crossing in aid of the Get A-Head Charitable Trust, which supports people with head and neck disease, and Meningitis Now, which provides awareness, research and vital support to people affected by the devastating disease.
The crew completed the unassisted row from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean in 52 days and 18 hours, to become the first mixed crew and fastest team to complete the C-Map Atlantic Dash regatta – one of the world’s toughest endurance challenges.
Rod decided to embark on the mammoth rowing challenge in memory of his son Barney, who died from meningitis in 2005 when he was just three-years old.
Rod said: “Just before we set off, the crew and I came up with four simple rules to follow and they were – to never be a late for a rowing shift, to give it everything, to have fun and to come home as friends and I can say, we achieved all four.”
John Watkinson, co-founder of Get A-Head, thanked the crew for all their effort and perseverance.
He added: “These funds will go directly towards supporting research into the causes and treatment for head and neck disease as well as life-saving equipment.”
Tom Nutt, chief executive of Meningitis Now, was equally grateful.
He said: “A major part of this fundraising challenge was in memory of Rod’s son Barney who would have been 21 this year.
“We know Barney helped to keep Rod going and remembering Barney reminds us all of the devastating impact meningitis can have on people’s lives.”
For more information or to donate visit www.givewheel.com/fundraising/1524/the-brightsides