Well, where to start...................I have never ever felt so much pain and relief in my body as that which I experienced last night (8th Feb).  The members of Free Spirits Rowing would like to thank Kenilworth Golf Club for their hospitality in hosting this event.  You have an amazing Manager in Stuart who could not have been more helpful - even he stayed awake for 24 hours!!

David Plumb will hopefully be crowned the owner of a new World Record (for his age and weight category) sometime this week by completing 175kms;  This is made even more unbelievable because he literally had to stop rowing to be ill, then slept for 30 minutes before just climbing back on board to reach his goal.!!

Paul Gould looked very cool and collected in getting to 251kms (he took his first break from the machine after 6 hours), he then congratulated his compatriots, went for a shower tidied up and then drove himself home - a true rock of a man!!

I was on target to break the current overall world record up until the 8 hour mark when I underestimated how much fluid I was losing and needed to take an extended break to rehydrate and re-compose myself.  I decided it was best just to get to the finish and actually started to enjoy the rowing. My own total came in at 254km's and only overtaking Paul within the last hour.

I'd like to thank all of the supporters who turned up throughout the 24 hours and for all of you who have donated your hard earned money to this wonderful cause.  The total should still go up a little further as the monies are counted up but if you haven't donated and would like to, just click on the sponsor us now link at the bottom of the page.

Michael Gough

Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.

Over a  year ago I got my motivation for exercise back after completing a Juicing diet called '7lbs in 7 days super juice diet' written by Jason 'juicemaster' Vale - www.juicemaster.com.  From this point on I started indoor rowing using the Concept 2 rowing machine in order to keep fit. During this time I found Free Spirits Rowing -

Free (as in liberated and gratis) Spirits is a fairly random grouping of people of all ages who train using the concept 2 rowing machine.  Being part of the team is motivational.  Noone tells you what to do, but there is a wide variety of activites to choose from if you are so inclined.  The aim of Free Spirits is to have fun, no more than that.  Why not visit   www.freespiritsrowing.com 

After a year of rowing over 5 million metres I thought it was time to ask the team for advice and help towards a good cause - St Andrews House in Earlsdon, Coventry.  the response was unanimously positive. I believe that often older people get forgotten in our fast paced society and I thought it was time to try to make a change .  Hopefully we will all reach a ripe old age and may require the services offered by residential homes just like St Andrews House. The future of this superb facility is in jeopardy due to New Care Standards, money has already been raised but we need to do a lot more to keep the residents and workers secure in their environment.

I chose this particular charity because of family links:  my great grandmother (Elsie Farlow) was on a church committee who helped fundraise for the initial purchase of St Andrews in 1956!; my great aunt (Lois Carter) was an avid fundraiser (especially her baking of Egg Custards, quiches and Apple Pies), and Singer at the home; my Mum (Anne Gough) also helps out looking after stalls etc for St Andrew's Fundraising events whenever she can.  So you could say that it's a family tradition.  I'm just choosing a less traditional way to raise money - my baking wouldn't be up to standard I'm sure. 

The Idea; The Challenge: The Fun Part: The Insane Bit

3 of our team members (David and Paul will be raising money for their own charities) including myself are to individually row for 24 hours each - yes an entire day with the hope of setting a new world record or even two!   Together with the generous help from other Free Spirits members, friends and family our aim is to make a dent in the fundraising target for the residential home. The event will start at midday on Saturday 7th February and finish midday on Sunday 8th February 2009 at Kenilworth Golf Club, Crewe Lane, Kenilworth, Warwickshire.  You are all more than welcome to come along and support us (4am might be a quieter time to visit) and have a drink at the bar but don't forget your pom-poms for cheering us along.

Please, please, please give as much or as little as you can afford - obviously the more the better in my opinion!

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Coventry And District Free Church Homes For The Elderly gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.