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

Tributes have been paid to the woman described as the “heart and soul” of a well-known Pembrokeshire family farm following her death this week.

MARGARET DAVIES, affectionately known to many simply as “Mama”, passed away after a lifetime spent building and supporting the family business at Cuckoo Mill Farm.

Mrs Davies founded the poultry enterprise in 1958, starting with just three turkeys. Over the decades she grew the small venture into a well-known local business supplying poultry to families across the county.

Alongside farming, she also ran a farmhouse bed and breakfast for more than fifty-five years, welcoming guests from across the world and serving home-cooked three-course meals prepared on the Aga.

Family members said her work ethic and warmth made her the driving force behind the farm for generations.

For more than half a century Mrs Davies personally handled every Christmas turkey order, worked at farmers’ markets, and helped keep the busy farm kitchen running smoothly.

Visitors to the farmhouse often found the kitchen full of activity — the phone ringing with orders, stuffing being prepared for turkeys, potatoes boiling on the Aga, and white coats hanging ready for the next day’s work.

Despite the long hours and busy seasons, especially around Christmas, Mrs Davies was known for rarely complaining.

Her favourite saying summed up her outlook on business: “It’s when the phone doesn’t ring — that’s when we have a problem.”

As well as running the farm, she was known for her friendly and welcoming personality. Television and radio crews who visited the farm were often invited straight into the kitchen to film or record interviews.

“She was always so agreeable to fun,” her family said in a tribute. “If we said the TV crew were coming, she would just smile and say, ‘Well, why not? Bring them in!’”

Mrs Davies is remembered as a hardworking and inspiring woman who led by example and took pride in providing quality produce and excellent service to customers.

Today, the farm continues to operate under the next generation of the family. Granddaughters Emily and Beth now help run the poultry side of the business, while grandsons Danny and Joe continue the dairy enterprise started by their grandparents.

Many of the farm’s loyal customers now span several generations themselves, with families returning year after year for their Christmas turkey.

Her family said they are determined to carry forward the values she established.

“As we celebrate Mama’s life, we will continue working to carry forward her wonderful legacy and everything she stood for.”

Funeral details will be announced once confirmed.

A YACHT that ran aground on rocks at Lower Town in Fishguard is being cleared by Pembrokeshire County Council after debris washed onto the shoreline.

Council officers attended the scene to assess the situation and begin removing wreckage after the vessel was found stranded among the rocks.

Heavy machinery was brought in to help clear debris from the beach, with workers seen dismantling parts of the damaged yacht and removing material that had scattered along the shoreline.

Pembrokeshire County Council confirmed it is aware of the incident and has issued a Notice to Mariners, warning of the potential presence of floating debris in the surrounding waters.

The notice advises vessels navigating in the area to exercise caution while clearance work continues.

No further details about how the yacht came to run aground have been released.

Cover pic:

Council workers clear debris from a yacht that ran aground at Lower Town, Fishguard.