Grandads set rowing record

TWO grandfathers with a combined age of 123 have become the oldest pair to row across an ocean.

Former paratroopers Neil Young, 61, and Peter Ketley, 62, set off on the 3,000-mile trip across the Atlantic from La Gomera in the Canary Islands in December.

The military veterans reached English Harbour in Antigua on Wednesday after 63 days and 22 minutes at sea.

They beat the previous record for the oldest pair, which was a combined age of 120 set by Pat Hines and Liz Dycus in 2016. They joined 27 other teams competing in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, said to be the world’s toughest row.

Before their year-long training regime the Sandhurst Military College graduates had no rowing experience.

The friends, whose tours of duty included Northern Ireland and the Falklands, raised more than £30,000 for the Royal British Legion Industries, Dreams Come True and Support Our Paras. Mr Young, of Bracknell, Berks, said they were “proud” to support the RBLI.

Mr Ketley, of Denmead, Hants, said: “The challenge was incredibly difficult but knowing we were helping people in desperate need of support perked us up.”

The RBLI, which is marking 100 years, lauded their “unwavering bravery”. The cash will help fund a £14million Centenary Village for injured ex-service personnel.

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