Each year, the Herts Sports Partnership team hold a 'Rowathon' at the University of Hertfordshire to raise money for a good cause. 

Setting themselves an initial distance, the  HSP team, and any generous staff or students who take part as they pass by, continue to row until they have gone over and beyond their target. In previous years, this has reached distances of 120k, all the way up to 160k - the equivalent of 100 miles.

This year, the Rowathon is raising money for the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, the only UK charity dedicated to lung cancer research and care. There are around 46,700 new lung cancer cases in the UK every year - nearly 130 every day. It is the 3rd most common cancer in the UK, and the 2nd most common for both Men and Women. Additionally, only a third of people diagnosed with lung cancer in England and Wales survive the disease for a year or more.

The charity has been chosen in memory of Bob Short, the Father of HSP Project Officer Matt Hughes-Short. 

A former county level rugby player for Lincolnshire, rugby coach and general fitness enthusiast, Bob was a frequent gym-goer, playing rugby into his 50s with two marathons and several half marathons under his belt. However, he was diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer and sadly passed away in 2012, aged 62. Since then, Matt and his family have continued to raise money for the Foundation, with Matt dedicating his work to the promotion of healthy lifestyles and improving the prospects of individuals who are diagnosed with cancer.

The HSP team would be hugely grateful for any donations that can be provided to assist with this worthy cause. Money raised can assist research and care in so many ways - £20 can help provide training for a specialist nurse, £35 funds one hour of research, whilst £200 helps to provide support for a lung cancer patient. The Rowathon will take place on the 1st February 2019 at the University of Hertfordshire and we would encourage anyone in the area to come along and support the team - and even get on the rower themselves!