Prison inmates row 510 miles for charity

INMATES at Huntercombe Prison completed a 10-hour sponsored row for charity.

The 12 men were joined by staff including governor David Redhouse and PE officer Paul Hooper as they achieved an equivalent distance of 821km, or 510 miles.

They raised £959 for brain injury charity Headway Thames Valley, which is based in Greys Road, Henley.

The rowers were part of the Boats Not Bars programme, which is run by Fulham Reach Boat Club. This uses participation in rowing to engage prisoners in a purposeful activity.

Imogen Walsh, manager of the project, said: “Seeing how tenacious and committed these men are was inspiring. One of them managed 100km on his own. Working with them was a real pleasure. I know they’ve done something wrong in the past but that shouldn’t take their future.

“They want to make amends and forge a new path for themselves, to be positive members of society. Seeing how hard they can push themselves and how well they work as a team, I have no doubt a bright future is out there for them.”

Qudsia Rahim, fundraiser for Headway, said: “Watching the men during the rowing challenge highlighted their devotion and perseverance to excel at whatever they put their mind to.”

HMP Huntercombe houses foreign nationals.