Round Britain Row in aid of RNLI ends in Cowes
Four rowers whose specially designed boat had circled Britain to raise funds for the RNLI returned on Sunday to Cowes, where the ambitious challenge all began 43 days and four hours before.
Escorting the boat into Cowes Harbour was the local lifeboat plus well-wishers on other craft. As soon as the boat was moored alongside Trinity Landing the rowers, two men and two women, were given a rousing Champagne dousing.
There was also a chance for Cowes lifeboat members to present a cheque, intended to show that the circumnavigation had raised £8,775 - although the rowers believed the final figure would be nearer £10,000.
The boat actually set out from Cowes with a six-strong international crew, but two had to leave at separate times during the row for pressing reasons. The whole circumnavigation of nearly 2,000 miles was done by super yacht captain Andy Burns, formerly from Cowes, Simone Talfauld, freelance film marketeer, from Colchester, James Scott, an electrician and a member of Plymouth RNLI lifeboat, and Mia Showell-Woodsmith, a lawyer in the City but from Australia.
A fifth rower, Liz Grant, a New Zealander who lives in Southampton and is a chief officer with Red Funnel Steamers, had to leave the boat at Aberdeen for medical reasons, but she was at Cowes to welcome her fellow rowers. The sixth rower, Roy Hubbard, an American, had to leave the boat at Skegness because of a family emergency.
The rowing boat was loaned for the event by Tom and Charlie Salt, and sponsorship came from Aquanobel, a Swedish water company.
Caption to photos:
- The Rowers near the end of their marathon row, escorted by Cowes lifeboat.
- Champagne welcome for the rowers. (picture by Nick Edwards)
- Giant cheque indicating just some of the money raised. (picture by Nick Edwards)
RNLI media contact
- George Chastney, Cowes RNLI Volunteer Press Officer 07530 254052/ [email protected]
- Paul Dunt, RNLI Media Regional Officer (London/East/South East) 0207 6207426/ 07785 296252/ [email protected]
- For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.