Soldiers edge students in Row4Colchester

A team of soldiers from the Royal Parachute Regiment took on student rowers from the University of Essex last week in a 24-hour rowing challenge in the centre of Colchester.

Raising money for local, student and military charities, the rival teams took to two indoor rowing machines at Colchester’s Lion Walk Shopping Centre at 6pm on Tuesday 11 December, finishing at 6pm on Wednesday.

The two teams covered a huge 859 miles in total, with troops from the Parachute Regiment’s Colchester Garrison managing 445 miles to the students’ 414.

The challenge is expected to have raised roughly £2,000 for the Rotary Club of Colchester, University of Essex Students’ Union, The Parachute Regiment Charity and Combat Stress.

‘This has been an arduous challenge to raise money for worthwhile for causes,’ said Cllr Chris Arnold, Mayor of Colchester. ‘I would like to congratulate everyone involved in an excellent initiative to bring together two of the great institutions of Colchester – the Army and the University of Essex.’

Find out more about the one-off challenge at http://uercvspararowing.tcnwk.com/.