Row the Thames Challenge 2011

The Thames Challenge

A group of Royal Marines Commandos recovering from wounds, injury or illness, mostly sustained on operations with 40 Commando in Afghanistan last year, will be rowing the length of the Thames from 10 -14 July 2011 (150 miles, 45 locks).  Primarily a personal challenge and part of the recovery transition pathway, the journey will be a platform for raising funds for the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund, which provides support across the Royal Marines family.

Other members of the Royal Marines will be joining the Thames challenge.  As 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines is once again deployed in Afghanistan for their fourth operational tour those with access to an erg rowing machine, bicycle or running track will be able to join their fellow Commandos and remotely participate in the Thames Challenge.  So too will Royal Marines from 40 Commando, who are currently deployed in the Mediterranean, as well as Royal Marines families and friends.    

Your Challenge

Anyone can join the Thames Challenge, either as individuals, or as teams.  There is an interactive website at www.marinesthameschallenge.com which will allow you to join Royal Marine Commandos in this challenge.  You can track your progress through some of the country’s most glorious and historic countryside either by rowing machine, or by bicycle, running, walking, swimming or even make up your own Thames Challenge triathlon! 

The rowers are;

• Marine Ben Wade from Blackpool – blinded in one eye by an IED fragment in Afghanistan
• Marine Ros Paterson from Newcastle – injured by an IED in Afghanistan
• Marine Duncan Lander – shot in the foot in Afghanistan
• Corporal Ian Ronald – recovering from a brain tumour and trialling for the GB paralympian rowing team   

How long you take, or when you start does not matter.  Setting yourself and others a challenge does!  Get family, friends and colleagues to sponsor you.  Turn that trip to the gym, those training miles or just that Sunday afternoon walk into a challenge alongside some of these and other Royal Marines Commandos as they row the Thames Challenge.  Or participate just by supporting and donating to RMCTF at www.marinesthameschallenge.com