CHICKS (Country Holidays for Inner City Kids) is a children’s charity that aims to provide life enhancing respite breaks to as many disadvantaged children as possible at one of their retreats in Devon and Cornwall.

The children they support come from a variety of backgrounds – those living in poverty, children that are being neglected or abused, either mentally, physically or sexually, children who have lost parents or even children who are full time young carers.

 I spent a week as a volunteer on a camp in November 2011 and was humbled by the experience.  I have personally witnessed the good this charity is doing and would be grateful if you would help support the work they are doing for children in the UK. 

As I cannot spare the time to volunteer this year I decided that I would try and raise some money instead by rowing the 42,195 metres (marathon distance) at the time of the London Marathon on 21st April.  The target I have set reflects what it costs to pay for one child to attend a one-week camp.

I am aiming for sub 3 hours for the distance and promise that I will earn your donation with a best effort row.  With only a few days left to go until the event my training has gone well and I have certainly put in the distance having completed over 1,345,000 metres; this is the equivalent distance from John O'Groats to Land's End (if it could be rowed!!).  So please help me to help this worthwhile charity - thank you.