Monday, 18 August 2025
Fundraising
On Friday 15 August the ROW4MND crew concluded leg one of their four-year challenge to raise funds for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, the MND Association and Leeds Hospitals Charity. Matt Parker, Mike Bates, Aaron Kneebone and Liz Wardley rowed in under the Forth Bridge to complete the first half of their round-Britain circumnavigation.
In the 21 days since they departed Land’s End in the southwest of England, they have had to contend with changing route 100 miles into the Irish Sea, the impacts of Storm Floris, sleep deprivation, and even being mistaken for a ‘migrant dinghy’ by an MP, which drew worldwide media attention to the cause and boosted donations by upwards of £30,000.
At the outset, we wanted to deliver two objectives: raising £57 million to have a material impact on the search for a cure to MND; and building awareness about this cruel illness, which will affect one in 300 people over a lifetime. We have met so many people along the way and heard moving stories from those affected by this dreadful disease. Reading the comments on our donations page has been something that has strengthened our resolve when times got tough.
The crew were treated to a hero’s welcome by supporters, well-wishers and members of the MND community at Port Edgar Marina in South Queensferry, as they passed underneath the iconic Forth Bridge, to mark the culmination of the 2025 challenge.
Looking ahead to the rest of the challenge, Mike Bates, fellow rower and co-founder of ROW4MND, said: "This year’s row has exceeded our wildest dreams, and we now have a platform to build on. After completing the second half of our circumnavigation of the UK in 2026, we’ll row from California to Hawaii in 2027 and then finish by completing a world record breaking row across the North Atlantic in 2028, from New York to London. A huge amount of effort and detail goes into planning a challenge like this. Coastal rowing is very different to ocean rowing, and we’ve encountered some of the most challenging conditions that any of us have faced - including in the Atlantic and Pacific."
Representatives of the three charities involved in the project were amongst the gathered crowds welcoming the crew to shore.
Paul Thompson, Director of Fundraising and Communications at My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, said: “What Matt, Mike, Aaron and Liz have achieved over the past three weeks is nothing short of incredible. They’ve battled storms, exhaustion, and the unpredictable British coastline - all to help fund research that will one day make MND treatable. Seeing them pass under the Forth Bridge today to such a warm welcome was a special moment for everyone involved.
“Every mile they’ve rowed and every pound they’ve raised takes us closer to delivering on Doddie’s vision - a world free of MND - and we’re hugely grateful for their determination and commitment to our cause.”
After initially rowing north into the Irish Sea, facing strong headwinds along the way, the crew made the decision to return to the start line and continue their journey east via the English Channel. Forced to shelter from Storm Floris on the Sussex coast, the crew were further impeded by challenging conditions.
By the time they reached the Forth Bridge to the west of Edinburgh on Friday, the crew had rowed approximately 900 miles and collectively burned around 450,000 calories. The crew is made up of Matt Parker, Mike Bates, Aaron Kneebone and Liz Wardley. Three of the crew are highly experienced ocean rowers, with multiple records between them.
Following media duties, and well-earned time with their families, the crew will begin preparing for the 2026 challenge in earnest.
For more details about ROW4MND and to donate, click here, and follow their journey on Instagram here.
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