The team at Blueprint Operations wished ‘bon voyage’ to a quartet of intrepid rowers on 21 July as they embarked on a gruelling 1,000 mile three-week endurance challenge from Land’s End to John O’Groats. The ROW4MND team comprising Mike Bates, Matthew Parker, Aaron Kneebone, and Liz Wardley is attempting a record four full-scale ocean rows in four consecutive years with the target of raising an amazing £57m to help find a cure for MND.
The remaining three legs comprise John O’Groats to Land’s End, California to Hawaii and is completed by New York to London the final leg alone a distance of 3,700 miles.
One of the campaign’s earliest supporters, Blueprint Operations has donated £5,000 to the cause which draws inspiration from rugby legends Rob Burrow and Doddie Weir, who became national symbols of courage after their MND diagnoses. The campaign’s £57 million fundraising target is a tribute to their shirt numbers – Doddie’s number five and Rob’s number seven.
Mike Bates, founding member of ROW4MND, said: “There are many rowing campaigns that start as adventures and support a charity along the way. This is different. The cause came first. The ocean rows are our sacrifice, our way of keeping the conversation alive and of raising the funds needed to help scientists find a cure. We row in hope that one day, no one else has to go through what families living with MND face today.”
He added: “A project of this scale requires serious backing, and we’re incredibly grateful to Blueprint for their support. Four ocean rows in four years has never been attempted before. It’s a monumental task, but we’ll keep going, wave after wave, to keep banging the drum for a cure.”
Blueprint Operations, MD Andy Tipple, said: “We are incredibly proud to support the ROW4MND team as it embarks on what is an unbelievable challenge. Their dedication is nothing short of extraordinary. We wish the team every success and will be cheering them on every stroke of the way. The monies raised will accelerate research, back clinical trials and ultimately help find a cure.”
The Blueprint donation forms part of the MERKUR Community programme, which supports non-profit organisations, community groups, local initiatives and good causes. Funded by MERKUR in partnership with its high street customers the programme has so far donated £278,170.76 to support over 114 community groups and charities nationwide.
To follow the ROW4MND challenge, visit: https://www.row4mnd.com/challenge
