March 20, 2008 News British Rowing NewsBritish Rowing EventsRowing CommunityGB Rowing TeamIndoor RowingRowing & RegattaPartners#YourStoriesArchive Royal Chester RC Veterans in Charity Rowing Challenge Rowing Community [img_assist|nid=1496|title=Royal Chester RC Vets|desc=|link=none|align=right|width=270|height=145] A veteran crew from Royal Chester Rowing Club, known as the ‘Royals’, is aiming to be the first to beat the challenge of rowing 135 miles of the River Thames from source to city in an eight. According to the ARA Almanack, it’s a trip that has yet to be successfully completed in this craft. ADVERT The three-day adventure will begin on Sunday 18th May, starting from the river’s barely navigable upper reaches at Lechlade in Gloucestershire, down to the spectacular London skyline and finishing at the start of the University Boat Race course at Putney – with 45 locks to negotiate along the way together with sluices, bridge holes and not least, pleasure craft! The squad’s ages range from 49 to 67. Intensive conditioning is being boosted by nutritional and training advice from the University of Chester. The challenge has two aims: to provide the crew with an opportunity to stretch themselves beyond the normal series of head races, and to raise £15,000, for a range of charities and good causes. The crew and support team will meet their own costs in staging the event. Two main charities – the NeuroMuscular Centre at Winsford in Cheshire and Royal Chester Rowing Club Charitable Trust Fund – have been chosen as the major beneficiaries of the money raised. Ten other charities of personal concern to crew members will also benefit from the individual fundraising. Royal Chester RC Trust Fund’s donations will go towards expanding opportunities for young people to develop their rowing skills, from beginner to national level. The crew are training hard to build up the stamina and strength necessary for the challenge but advice from others who have attempted similar challenges would be welcome. Keep a look out for they crew from 18th -20th May – and please give generously. Further information regarding the event, including details of how to sponsor the crew’s endeavour, can be found on the club website at www.rcrc.org.uk ADVERT