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