Sailors on board Plymouth-based warship HMS Somerset have raised £900 for charity by powering a static rowing machine.
Warrant officers and chief petty officers completed a 24-hour sponsored Rowathon in aid of the Royal British Legion and the Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity. They rowed the equivalent of 311km – the distance from Plymouth to London – and raised £900.
Warrant Officer Gordon Hannah, HMS Somerset’s executive warrant officer, said: “It was tough going, but everyone chipped in with a few kilometres. The ship’s company were very supportive. We had people cheering us on at all hours of the day. We are proud of the money raised for these fantastic charities.”
The ship’s commanding officer, Commander Tim Berry, said: “What an achievement from Somerset’s warrant officers and chief petty officers. A great deal of personal grit and determination went into completing the Rowathon and it has raised an outstanding amount of money for charities close to all our hearts. This event shows what fantastic people we have in the Royal Navy and epitomises our core values.”
Having just completed a period of maintenance alongside, the ship is now in final preparations to resume duties as the Royal Navy high-readiness ship in the near future.
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