Rowing one million metres for Macmillan
A MAN from Loughborough who struggles with severe arthritis has began a one million metre rowing challenge to help raise funds for two cancer charities close to his heart.
Wayne Short, from Peel Drive, Loughborough has been rowing 10-15 thousand metres a day for the last two weeks, and is hoping to complete his one million metre challenge in the next four months.
Wayne has been registered disabled since 2009, and struggles with severe arthritis and has a pro lapsed disc in his back caused by three compressed fractures, and this means that even walking 100 yards is a struggle.
But Wayne has found a way to help keep him fit, and has been using the rowing machines at Loughborough Leisure Centre to try and raise money for Rainbows cancer charity and the Macmillan nurses.
The 53-year-old who was a welder by trade until his problems with arthritis began, told the Echo that his family has a history of cancer and both his grandfather and mother have died from it.
He said that his mother used to help bring him and his four brothers together, but since she has passed away they have lost touch, and he is hoping that the row- ing challenge can help bring them closer again.
Wayne said: “I only started rowing in January and it has been a huge help to me physically, but I was told about the challenge by one of the members of staff at the leisure centre and as soon as I heard about it the competitive part of me came out and then I thought about doing it for charity.
“I used to box when I was younger and would be able to run three or four miles and wouldn’t stop and I used to be incredibly fit and then my arthritis got worse and worse, and there were some days when I could barely walk and in particular the left side of my body because I was in so much pain.
“I know that cancer is something that affects so many people, and it has effected lots of members of my family already so that is why I am raising money for Rainbows.
“It was a struggle to start with, and it is still really hard work but the thought of raising money has really motivated me and has made me want to get to the one million metre mark.”
Wayne said that he rows for around two-three hours a day depending on how he is feeling but has struggled to raise much awareness of his challenge and is hoping that others who read his story can help donate to the cause.
• To donate visit virginmoneygiving. com and search for Wayne Short 1.