PEOPLE in the South East 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 region 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 April 2. 

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 130 people are diagnosed with cancer in the South East. 

Money raised by The Great Row will advance research which is helping more men, women and children in the region and across the UK to survive the devastating disease. 

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 donate their headline sponsorship rights of The Boat Races in January last year.

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.

To download a training plan and fundraising pack, visit: Cancerresearchuk.org/TheGreatRow and to join the conversation, follow #PullTogether on Twitter.