ROW4MND: Four years, four rows, to raise £57 million for MND research

Matt Parker, former CEO of Babble, has joined forces with a team of elite rowers to take to the open seas for one of the most ambitious endurance challenges ever attempted: ROW4MND - a four-year ocean rowing challenge to raise serious funds for motor neuron disease (MND) research.

Inspired by the shirt numbers of Doddie Weir (5) and Rob Burrow (7), the ROW4MND team have set a target to raise £57 million for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, Leeds Hospitals Charity and the MND Association.

Over the next four years, the ROW4MND team will attempt something that’s never been done before - four full-scale, unsupported ocean rows, and the difficulty will ramp up with each row completed.

The first phase of the challenge began today, with Matt joined on the boat by Mike Bates, solo Atlantic rower and former Royal Marine Commando; Aaron Kneebone, an accredited ocean rowing coach and Royal Marine veteran; and Liz Wardley, an elite adventure sailor with multiple global races under her belt. The team set off at approximately 8.30am this morning (25 July 2025) from Newlyn Harbour, near Land's End, to row over 1,000 miles up the UK’s rugged coastline to John O’Groats. The row is expected to take around 21 days.

Commenting on the challenge, Mike Bates, said: “Today’s launch is the start of something far bigger than a rowing expedition. I co-founded ROW4MND to take real action for Rob, for Doddie, and for the thousands of people and their families who need a breakthrough. We’ll carry their stories with us every mile of the way.”

Matt Parker added: “It’s humbling to finally leave the harbour and get this mission underway. This is a show of strength and solidarity for the MND community and for everyone who refuses to give up hope. This is just the beginning of a four-year journey, and we’re ready to give it everything we’ve got, every step of the way.”

Next year, the ROW4MND team will complete their clockwise circumnavigation of the UK by rowing from John O’Groats back down to Newlyn Harbour.

In 2027, they will tackle the world’s largest ocean - the Pacific - with a row from California to Hawaii, and anticipate being at sea for 45 days.

Then in 2028, the fourth, final and riskiest leg of the entire ROW4MND campaign will see Matt and the team attempt to row across the Atlantic Ocean from New York to London, in less than 70 days. This is a feat few have ever accomplished - if successful, they will become the third rowing boat in history to complete this route.

Matt is no stranger to raising significant funds for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. When a close friend lost his wife to MND, he wanted to do something to help, support and make a difference. As the former CEO of Babble, Matt chose the Foundation as the Gold Charity Partner for the Babble Ride Across Britain in 2024. Members of the Babble team have also taken part in the Doddie Cup 555 Ride and the All Roads Lead to Rome Ride, as well as Kiltwalks across various Scottish cities - all to raise vital funds for MND research.

Although ROW4MND has only just launched, Matt and the crew have already raised over £105,000 - reflecting the enormity of the challenge, and the gravity of the cause.

Paul Thompson, Director of Fundraising at My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, said: “Everything about this challenge is epic. The goals the team have set themselves, both with this row, and over the next three years, are incredible. Fundraising on this scale would be unprecedented for MND in the UK. It would make a material difference to the amount of research that was possible. But for now, we just want to wish Matt and the team all the best for this first leg. We are proud to be involved.”

“One of these challenges alone is a huge feat, but to take on four rows of this magnitude over the next four years is astounding,” stated Paul Watkins, Director of Fundraising at Leeds Hospital Charity. “Every mile they row, and pound they raise, will help us continue to support people living with MND, helping us to fund groundbreaking research at the Rob Burrow Centre for MND to bring hope to patients and their families. We wish the team the best of luck as they head out on the first row of this epic challenge!”

Jo Coker, Director of Income Generation at the MND Association, said: “This event is a remarkable show of courage, strength and solidarity and we are delighted that Row4MND has chosen to support the MND Association’s work – improving care, support and information for people affected by MND, while also funding cutting-edge research into potential new treatments. Every day in the UK, six people will learn they have MND and hear there is no cure – we need this to change. We wish Matt, Mike, Aaron and Liz the best of luck for the first leg of this epic challenge.”

Kevin Sinfield CBE, former England rugby league captain and key figure in the MND fundraising movement, is also backing the team: “What Matt, Mike and the ROW4MND crew are doing is nothing short of extraordinary. It’s a powerful show of commitment, not just to raising funds, but to carrying the legacy of two incredible men. Every stroke they row sends a message that the MND community is not alone and I’m proud to support them.”

Former Marine Commando and UK Special Forces soldier, and My Name'5 Doddie Foundation Ambassador, Jason Fox, added: "This challenge is likely to push Matt and the crew to their limits, but we all have the resilience within ourselves to keep going when things get tough. I wish them the best of luck with this first row, and will be following their progress as they raise vital funds for MND research."

To follow the ROW4MND crew’s journey and donate, visit www.row4mnd.com or find @row4mnd on Instagram.