This December, Oldham Athletic owner, and adventurer, Frank Rothwell, 73, will row 3,000-miles across the Atlantic, with the aim of raising £1 million for Alzheimer’s Research UK.

On Monday, 18 September, Frank attended his final session with the boat in Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex. The boat will now undergo inspection and checks before it’s shipped to the start line of the World’s Toughest Row.

This will be the second time that Frank has taken on this challenge – which will see him take on the world’s second largest ocean, rowing from the Canary Islands to Antigua. Last time he did this for the UK’s leading dementia research charity, previously raising over £1.1 million in February 2021.

“My session at Burnham-on-Crouch was the last time I’ll be in the boat before the team run their safety checks and prepare it for shipping to La Gomera”, said Frank. “I’m excited and looking forward to setting off in December in my boat, For A Cure.”

This time, Frank has named his boat ‘For A Cure’ to reflect the charity’s mission, to find a cure for dementia, something personally important to him. During his previous race in 2020/21, Frank received the heartbreaking news that his brother-in-law, Roger, had passed away with Alzheimer’s at the age of 62. Earlier this year, Frank also lost his best friend, who passed away with the disease.

Frank continues, “My session at Burnham-on-Crouch was the last time I’ll be in the boat before the team run their safety checks and prepare it for shipping to La Gomera”, said Frank. “I’m excited and looking forward to setting off in December in my boat, For A Cure.”

“Thank you to everyone who has sent me messages of support and donated so far. I can’t believe how much money has already been raised – and I haven’t even set off yet! I’m also incredibly grateful to Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation for their pledge of match-funding the first £100,000 of donations made to my JustGiving page. It means so much to me and Alzheimer’s Research UK and their mission to find a cure for dementia.”

Lucy Squance, Director at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said, “We are in ‘oar’ of Frank and incredibly grateful to see he’s taking on this challenge for Alzheimer’s Research UK for the second time, all at the age of 73! Rowing solo across 3,000-miles of the Atlantic is a daunting feat for anyone. However, Frank’s enthusiasm and boundless energy is an inspiration to us all, encouraging us to live our lives without regrets.

“If nothing changes, one in two of us will be directly affected by dementia – either by caring for someone with the condition, developing it ourselves, or both. The £1 million that Frank aims to raise will be transformational in our search for a cure. “

“As a charity rooted in East Anglia, we hope to see the people of Essex rally behind Frank by donating, if they’re able. We wish Frank the best of luck and can’t wait to share his updates from across the sea!”

Donate to Frank’s fundraising for Alzheimer’s Research UK here: Frank Rothwell’s World’s Toughest Row Atlantic Challenge 2023 – JustGiving

The post Chair of Oldham Athletic travels to Essex to train for 3,000-mile charity row across the Atlantic appeared first on Alzheimer's Research UK.