Jemima Rowing Club quartet bring great honour to the county – and is giving wonderful support to a worthwhile charity!

There were great celebrations recently at the Fishguard & Goodwick Jemima Rowing Club as a quartet of their long-serving members carried the club’s, and county’s name, with great style when they travelled across the UK to compete in the prestigious ‘Great Thames River Race’, which takes place annually over a 21-mile stretch of the River Thames from Greenwich to Ham House in Richmond.
 
Such is the popularity and regard it is held in amongst rowers that over 270 boats thronged there for a remarkable day watched by many thousands thronging the banks as everyone participating was aiming to raise as much money as possible.
 
The Race has a range of categories for entry and the Fishguard foursome on the day were Derek Miles, Candy Tamsett, Mike Hughes and Len Murrow, all over 60 and so rightly placed in the 60+ category, were able to use their vast experience  as Derek and Mike had competed in this race over 20 times alongside many other races throughout the years to really excel.
 

Splendid finish – and a wonderful achievement!

 
They crossed the finish line in a splendid ninth place overall, a wonderful achievement that can be measured by the fact that Mike’s crew earned the first place in their category and the first boat out of many from Wales on the day – and even more impressive was the fact that the magnificent silver trophy had found its way to Wales for the first time ever.
 
Their boat was a Whitehall Skiff called ‘The Margaret  and was actually built by Mike’s father over 40 years ago and still looks beautiful now after such a long time, a tribute to the way it has been looked after – and their fund-raising proceeds will go to Prostate Cymru.
 
This had so much meaning for the crew and all club members because Derek had unfortunately been diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer last year but after undergoing radio therapy and receiving ongoing treatment he was still determined to complete this challenge with a group of rowers who have become such great friends over many years, also enjoying the great fellowship and fun that racing has provided for all of them within the Jemima Rowing Club ethos.
 

Martha echoes the club’s pride

 
Martha Owen, from the Fishguard & Goodwick Jemima Rowing Club, told PembrokeshireSport.co.uk
“We at the club are all very proud of this crew’s epic achievements. They have rowed for the club for  many years and maintain a high standard of sportsmanship – and show the power of training hard and working together as a team.”
 
 
“It was decided that donating their fund-raising from their rowing to Prostate Cymru was wonderfully appropriate because as well as much-needed funds their yeoman efforts have helped to raise awareness of a mainly voluntary group – and the donation system is quick and easy to enter, as well as being safe, simple and your details are safe with ‘Just Giving’.
 
Your details will never be passed on to anyone else, you’ll never be pestered by unwanted e-mails and your money goes straight to the charity.
 
So, if you would like to make a donation in recognition of their achievement, now is the time to donate by going on to the link below – and you will be able to see how things are going for them.
 
It would be a thoughtful and generous way to help a really worthwhile cause that is dedicated to helping a disease that affects so many men in our country – and sharing the link with sporting friends would be another great way to help swell the fund!!