Elderly residents at Netley Court care home in Southampton outstripped a rowing challenge for Comic Relief.

Joined by 11 staff and a family member, 80-year-old Valerie Haynes and 77-year-old Claude Vidal rowed a remarkable 51,229m on a rowing machine, smashing their initial target of 26,782m. Overall, the team raised £427 for Comic Relief on March 15.

Sarah Gillett, Home Admission Advisor, said: “We started rowing at 9.30am and between us, kept going until 4.30pm – we smashed our target within 4.5 hours! It was a fantastic team effort.

"Valerie, who has Parkinson’s was adamant that she wanted take part as she said all her strength was in her arms.

"She impressed us all with her 500m row! Claude rowed 500m and then couldn’t wait to get back on for another 500m stint.

"In fact, I think he’d still be there now if we hadn’t insisted he have a rest! “A huge thanks to Netley Court’s wonderful team members, family member and residents for taking part in our rowing challenge. We all had such a fun day and it was great to raise funds for such an amazing cause!"

Valerie said: "I was surprised when I heard that I’d managed to row 500m. Not bad for someone with Parkinson’s!"

Claude added: "I loved taking part. It was great fun, great fitness and a great cause. We are very grateful to everyone who donated."