19-20 November 2004
Commando Joe Rowathon

On Friday 19 November and Saturday 20 November, the members of Commando Joe took part in a two day rowathon - without going anywhere near the water! The team dreamt up the idea of a static rowathon as a memorable and eyecatching way to launch their fundraising and awareness campaign, which will continue for the next three years until all three of their Extreme Challenges are complete.

First stopping at Waitrose’s Food and Home branch in Cheltenham, the team was presented with a cheque for £250.00 before getting down to business with a 90-minute static row on Concept 2 rowing machines.

At midday, the team moved on to Cheltenham High Street where, after setting up all display equipment, the hard rowing began. Initially rowing in pairs – one hour on, one hour off – the team developed a cracking pace. In fact, such was the ease with which they displayed their rowing ability, several passers-by were encouraged to try their skill on a spare rower in return for a small donation to charity! Those taking up the challenge were encouraged to beat the current rowing pair within a set time or over a short distance.

Meanwhile, the good people of Cheltenham were invited to make a donation to the team’s chosen charity, the Meningitis Trust. The team is sure that Dick Turpin wore a mask, but Adrian, James, Helen and Joy had no shame in shaking their buckets!

Just after 18-00hrs, with the temperature dropping, the team decided to cut the rowing to half-hour stints. The crowds started to thin out, but were then replaced by the evening’s partygoers. Did they know what lay in wait for them? Adrian, James, Helen and Joy were wrapped up, primed and ready. Whether the Commando Joe team had picked the perfect spot, or whether there is only one main route between all the bars of Cheltenham remains to be seen – but every time the locals left one bar to go to another the hearty bucket shakers accosted them.

Later in the evening the Commando Joe numbers were increased by three locals – the Foresters – who decided that more fun was to be had to encourage people to part with their hard-earned cash until we wrapped up at 2.30am.

Thanks to the generosity of Cheltenham residents (and the persuasive talents of the Collection Crew - see below!) we made a grand start to our £20,000 Meningitis Trust target by raising almost £1,400. The total distance rowed was 157.8 miles - which, if repeated and maintained at a constant rate during the race itself, would see us complete the crossing in a little over 11 days! Some hope! Watch out for a rowathon near you in the New Year!!!!!!!

Saturday was supposed to see a continuation of the rowathon, but thanks to poor weather and unfortunate siting at Gloucester Docks (footfall was six people in three hours!) the rowathon ended earlier than planned. Nevertheless, it was a valuable event and one we expect to repeat - in other locations - in future months as the campaign develops.