A TEAM of ocean rowers has today (Saturday, March 7) set off on the next leg of an extraordinary endurance challenge to raise £57 million for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) research and treatment.

The ROW4MND team, made up of four experienced endurance athletes, began the demanding second stage of their mission from Dale in Pembrokeshire. Over the next ten days, they are expected to row continuously across the Irish Sea towards the Western Isles of Scotland, battling cold temperatures, darkness and unpredictable conditions.

The campaign builds on last year’s successful challenge, during which the team raised more than £140,000 while rowing around 1,000 miles of UK coastline. The latest leg forms part of a four-year campaign which aims to raise £57 million for MND research and treatment by 2028.

Funds raised will support My Name’s Doddie Foundation, the Motor Neurone Disease Association and Leeds Hospitals Charity.

The 2025 challenge unexpectedly drew national attention when the crew were mistakenly identified as “illegal migrants” by MP Rupert Lowe while rowing past Norfolk. The incident quickly became one of the year’s most talked-about news stories, but the team turned the publicity into momentum for their cause — even receiving a £1,000 donation from the MP afterwards.

This year’s rowing team consists of Mike Bates, Matt Parker, Aaron Kneebone and Gareth Timmins. The campaign’s £57 million fundraising target is symbolic, inspired by the shirt numbers worn by rugby legends Doddie Weir (5) and Rob Burrow (7), both of whom died after battling MND.

The crew includes some of the world’s most experienced endurance rowers. Joining the team this year is Gareth Timmins, a former Royal Marines Commando who is now a bestselling author, behavioural and cognitive performance strategist, and researcher.

He rows alongside campaign co-founders Mike Bates, a solo Atlantic rower and former Royal Marines Commando, and Matt Parker, chief executive of cyber security firm Xypher and a purpose-driven entrepreneur who has completed numerous endurance challenges. Aaron Kneebone, an accredited ocean rowing coach and Royal Marine veteran, also returns to the crew.

Matt Parker, co-founder of ROW4MND, said: “When people go out of their way to sacrifice and suffer in the name of such an incredible cause, we hope it gives people hope that change is possible in the future.

“We can’t lose sight of the fact that this is an endurance mission which will bring short-term pain for us. We are determined to do everything we can to raise £57 million for MND research and treatment by 2028 and we are grateful for the support we receive every row of the way.”

Mike Bates, also a co-founder of the campaign, added: “We are even more resolute this year in our ambition to raise vital funds for MND research and treatment. The challenge ahead will be tougher because at this time of year it will be colder, wetter and darker.

“What we will have in our minds is the fact that one in 300 people are affected by MND. That is a hard reality to face and it means almost everyone in the UK knows someone impacted by this cruel disease.

“These challenges are tough, but they are nothing compared to the pain experienced by those diagnosed with MND and their families every day. ROW4MND is about helping change the future of treatment.”

Readers can follow the crew’s progress and support the campaign by visiting www.row4mnd.com

A major £500,000 fund-raising drive has been launched to salvage Milford Haven’s 50-metre outdoor swimming pool.

Following a five-year consultation initiative to bring the modern outdoor swimming facility back to the town, the Milford Haven Lido Park Society is now poised to launch a community share offer later this Spring, 

Chairman Michael Allen said the project had recently seen a breakthrough after what many viewed as a period of inactivity.

“We’ve been working on this for nearly five years,” Michael Allen told The Pembrokeshire Herald. “There have been many unkept promises around the site in the past, but we’ve been quietly working with the council to advance the community asset transfer.”

The group hopes to transform the site into a major community and tourism facility centred around a 50-metre outdoor pool, alongside an infant paddling pool and splash play area.

Community investment drive

The society is preparing to launch a community share offer in April, and aims to raise £500,000.

Residents and supporters will be able to invest from £100 upwards, which is a funding model already applied successfully ithroughout Pembrokeshire to support community shops, farms and chapels.

Mr Allen said the offer would be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, ensuring a secure framework for investors.

“We want to raise half a million pounds to show Pembrokeshire County Council we have the capability to manage the site,” he said.

The funding will help the society secure control of the site through a Community Asset Transfer (CAT).  However, Mr Allen acknowledged there was no guarantee the transfer would be approved.

A long-term vision

If successful, the society estimates it will ultimately require around £20 million to transform the site into a year-round facility capable of attracting visitors and boosting tourism.

“It’s not easy,” Mr Allen admitted, “but other lidos across the UK have done it.”

Future funding could come from organisations such as the National Lottery Heritage Fund, government programmes and major charitable donations.

Summer heating and cold water swimming

The proposed pool would be heated during the summer months using a ground-source heat pump, but not during the winter.  This would allow the site to support the growing cold-water swimming community.

“Heated swimming pools are a national challenge because of energy costs,” Mr Allen explained.

The plans also include a smaller heated rehabilitation pool, which would operate all year round.

The project has also secured support through a Perthyne grant, administered by Bryn Teg Consulting, to explore using the existing building as a Welsh-language community hub.

The facility would operate as a café open to all, but run primarily through the Welsh language with the help of volunteers from local groups including Hwb Aberdaugleddau and Caffi Pal (Friends Café).

Mr Allen said the project had recently secured cross-party backing from local politicians, including local MP Henry Tufnell. Sennedd Member, Paul Davies, Cris Tomos Chris and Scott Thorley.  Support has also been expressed locally by town councillors and community organisations including Milford Youth Matters and the VC Gallery.

The society stresses the pool will not rely on town or county council funding, but will operate as a community-owned asset.

Michael Allen went on to say that the number of new lido projects opening across Britain has increased significantly in recent years.

“The opening of lidos is accelerating,” he said. “That means creating a credible business plan is far easier now because there are successful examples to follow.”

Historically, the original pool used water from the Cleddau Estuary, which was then returned to the river, however Mr Allen said that ensuring the project meets environmental regulations remains one of the project’s most complex elements.

“By law the water cannot cause any harm to the environment,” he said.

Despite the challenges ahead, the society remains determined to bring outdoor swimming back to Milford Haven.

“There will be no visual eyesores,” he added. “We want this to be something the whole community can be proud of.”

Hywel Dda Health Charities is delighted to announce that it has secured three free charity places for supporters wishing to take part in the TCS London Marathon MyWay 2026 – the virtual version of the world‑famous marathon.

Taking place on Sunday, April 26, the TCS London Marathon MyWay gives participants the freedom to complete the iconic 26.2‑mile distance from any location. Whether running, jogging or walking, entrants have 23 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds to finish the challenge. The event must be completed outdoors, but participants can choose any route that suits them.

The virtual marathon is the perfect option for anyone who has always dreamed of taking part in the London Marathon but would prefer a more flexible timeframe, the chance to complete the distance at their own pace and the ability to take part without travelling to London.

Participants will receive a finisher’s T-shirt and medal (optional), a free trial with Coopah, the official training app of the TCS London Marathon and access to the official event tracking app.

In return for one of the limited free places, Hywel Dda Health Charities asks supporters to raise a minimum of £300 in aid of a Hywel Dda service of their choice.

Tara Nickerson, Fundraising Manager for Hywel Dda Health Charities, said: “We’re so excited to offer these special MyWay places to our supporters. The virtual marathon is a fantastic opportunity for people of all abilities to take on an iconic challenge in a way that works best for them.

“Every pound raised will make a meaningful difference to patients and staff across our local NHS services. We can’t wait to cheer on our amazing fundraisers as they take on the 26.2 miles their own way.”

Places will be allocated on a first‑come, first‑served basis. To request a place or find out more, please contact the Hywel Dda Health Charities team via email at [email protected] or by phone on 01267 239815.