Rowing novices’ epic journey

Two f riends had to battle against torrential rain and numerous obstacles as they successfully completed a charity row along the Rover Stour from Ashford International Station to the Tickled Trout pub in Wye.

They completed the six-mile marathon in a boat they bought online for £30 and raised money for the Pilgrims Hospice.

Valerie Day, 47, of Kipling Road, Ashford and Adele Coniam, 48, from Willesborough, had to tackle various obstacles such as fallen trees and shallow water during the journey on Sunday, August 17.

Despite having never rowed and with no practice, the pair took just six hours to complete the sponsored challenge in their little yellow boat and have so far raised about £1,000 for the charity.

Adele said: “It went fabulously, it was hard work but it was so much fun.

“My husband Matthew came with us as our safety boat and if it wasn’t for him we would not have got through.

“He had to lift our boat over fallen trees a few times!”

The pair, who both work in schools and have known each other since they were children, said the idea came to them when they were walking in Victoria Park.

Adele said: “Neither of us had ever rowed before but we both said we wanted to.

“We bought the little boat off a lad from one of those ‘buy and sell pages’ for £30.

“We tested it to make sure it floated and then just went for it!”

The pair are still taking donations at www.justgiving. com/Valerie-Adele.

Mission accomplished for Valerie Day and Adele Coniam

Above and below, many obstacles had to be overcome