More than £8,000 raised for Rowans Hospice as gym members take on 2 million metre row

GYM members took to their rowing machines for a mammoth two million metre challenge for the Rowans Hospice.
Belinda Dickins
By Belinda Dickins
Published 22nd Jan 2020, 15:24 BST
Updated 24th Jan 2020, 19:11 BST
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Roughly 90 people joined in with CrossFit Iron Duke’s efforts on Saturday, which saw 20 teams row 100,000 metres each to raise funds for the charity.

Members of the Waterlooville gym took part, with teenagers and children getting fully involved, and even the gym staff put a team together.

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The day started at 8am, with the first team smashing the target in six hours and 25 minutes, with the final team finishing in a respectable time of eight hours, 10 minutes.

Members and staff at CrossFit Iron Duke gym in Waterlooville took on a two million metre rowing challenge to raise funds for Rowans Hospice. Picture by Drew Irvine PhotographyMembers and staff at CrossFit Iron Duke gym in Waterlooville took on a two million metre rowing challenge to raise funds for Rowans Hospice. Picture by Drew Irvine Photography
Members and staff at CrossFit Iron Duke gym in Waterlooville took on a two million metre rowing challenge to raise funds for Rowans Hospice. Picture by Drew Irvine Photography

An initial target of £4,000 for Rowans Hospice was quickly reached, with a current total of £8,679 which is set to increase as donations keep flying in.

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Kerry Cooley, who owns the Aston Road gym with her husband Toby, said: ‘It’s fantastic, we put it out to our members and they ran with it.

‘Our gym is a huge community, they all buy into it, go and raise money, give up their time.

Members and staff at CrossFit Iron Duke gym in Waterlooville took on a two million metre rowing challenge to raise funds for Rowans Hospice. Picture by Drew Irvine PhotographyMembers and staff at CrossFit Iron Duke gym in Waterlooville took on a two million metre rowing challenge to raise funds for Rowans Hospice. Picture by Drew Irvine Photography
Members and staff at CrossFit Iron Duke gym in Waterlooville took on a two million metre rowing challenge to raise funds for Rowans Hospice. Picture by Drew Irvine Photography
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‘We are just so very grateful to our members, for once again believing in one of our crazy ideas, and running with it to make it a reality, and one that has surpassed our wildest dreams.’

Gemma Carden, Rowans Hospice corporate engagement lead, attended the event and completed 1,000 metres of the challenge.

She said: ‘It was great to go along and support everyone taking part in the Row for Rowans challenge organised by CrossFit Iron Duke gym.

‘They have been amazing, completing such a physical challenge and raising such an incredible amount of money.

Members and staff at CrossFit Iron Duke gym in Waterlooville took on a two million metre rowing challenge to raise funds for Rowans Hospice. Picture by Drew Irvine PhotographyMembers and staff at CrossFit Iron Duke gym in Waterlooville took on a two million metre rowing challenge to raise funds for Rowans Hospice. Picture by Drew Irvine Photography
Members and staff at CrossFit Iron Duke gym in Waterlooville took on a two million metre rowing challenge to raise funds for Rowans Hospice. Picture by Drew Irvine Photography
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‘Their fantastic efforts will make sure help and support is available to anyone in our community who is caring for or living with a life-limiting and progressive illness, regardless of diagnosis. Thank you to the whole team who took part.’

Members and staff took part in a marathon row last June for The Osborne Trust, and in August 2019 they ran a 24-hour workout for Solent Mind, which raised £5,000.

The gym’s next charity event will be another 24-hour workout on August 21 and 22.

To top up the team’s total, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/crossfitironduke.

Related topics:Rowans HospiceWaterlooville

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