People on the Isle of Man are being urged to pull together to beat cancer by taking part in The Great Row - a unique fundraising rowing challenge for Cancer Research UK.
 
In partnership with the renowned Oxford & Cambridge Boat Races, now known as The Cancer Research UK Boat Races, the charity is urging people in the North West and the Isle of Man to take on the indoor rowing challenge to raise money to help beat cancer sooner.
Would-be rowers can go solo or complete the challenge as part of a team, there are different challenge levels to choose from - anything from 2,000 metres up to a full marathon.

The chosen distance should be covered on an indoor rowing machine and completed during ‘Challenge Week’, a week before The Boat Races take place on Sunday 2nd April.

Olympic rowing champion Helen Glover, who is supporting Cancer Research UK’s ‘The Great Row’, said: “Having a fresh challenge to kick off the New Year is a great way to get health and fitness goals back on track, or inspire those who want to take on the gym for the first time.

“The Great Row is flexible and includes a challenge to suit every level, whether you’ve never used a rowing machine before or you think you might win an Olympic medal one day. On top of being a fantastic fitness motivator, it’s a good way to support Cancer Research UK’s work. Last year was a huge success and it would be brilliant to see even more people get into rowing and doing their bit to beat cancer.”

Every day, around 110 people are diagnosed with cancer in the North West*.

Money raised by The Great Row will advance research which is helping more men, women and children in the North West and across the UK to survive the devastating disease.
 
Thanks to the generosity of its supporters, Cancer Research UK was able to spend around ?23 million in the North West last year on some of the UK’s leading scientific and clinical research.

Frances Milner, executive director of philanthropy and partnerships at Cancer Research UK, said: “The Great Row is a challenge like no other and we’re thrilled to bring it back for 2017. So many people got involved last year and discovered a new love for rowing, all while raising funds for our vital cancer research.

“Every two minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with cancer, which is why we need to pull together, get active, commit to a challenge and raise as much money as possible to help bring forward the day that all cancers are cured.”

The fitness fundraiser is part of a wider partnership with The Boat Races following BNY Mellon and Newton Investment Management’s decision to pull together and generously donate their headline sponsorship rights of The Boat Races in January last year (2016).

Taking on The Great Row doesn’t require an expensive gym membership either; Cancer Research UK has partnered with David Lloyd Clubs, giving anyone who takes on the challenge access to David Lloyd Clubs across the country every Friday throughout March. Participants will receive a link when they sign up to the challenge that will give them access to their ‘free Fridays’ pass.

Alison Barbuti, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the Isle of Man, said: “Cancer does not discriminate - almost everyone will have either experienced cancer themselves or know someone who has been affected. That’s why we need as many people as possible to pull together and beat cancer by signing up for The Great Row.  
 
“Whether you’ve never rowed before, fancy yourself as a pro or you’re just looking for a new training goal, The Great Row is the perfect challenge for you. By taking part and raising vital funds, participants can row their way to greatness with a challenge that will not only make them feel great physically, but will also help to save lives.”
 
To download a training plan and fundraising pack, visit: Cancerresearchuk.org/TheGreatRow and to join the conversation, follow #PullTogether on Twitter.

Photo - Photo Caption: Helen Glover, Double Olympic Champion and three-times World Champion, is supporting The Great Row.