Students row length of Wales

Students at Wrexham Glyndwr University have rowed the length of Wales to raise funds for charity – without leaving their student union.

The charity fundraiser was organised by Wrexham Glyndwr University Students’ Union to help raise funds for mental health charities.

Five rowing machines were set up in the Students’ Union’s Lazy Lion bar on the university’s Plas Coch campus and over a twelve hour period students, lecturers, university governors and more each took turns in a series of fifteen-minute slots to row as far as possible.

Rowers were sponsored and donations were taken on the day to help raise money for the Counselling Hub, a mental health charity based in North East Wales. In total, rowers racked up 229 miles – further than the distance between Holyhead and Cardiff – and raised almost £400 for charity in the process.

Wrexham Glyndwr Students’ Union President Kieran Irwin – who took part in the rowathon dressed as the union’s mascot Glyn – thanked all those who took part and donated during the day.

He said: “As part of my year as WGSU President, I’m working to develop a number of different initiatives around mental health – both in the university and in our wider community.

“When the organisers of the rowathon contacted me with their idea, I was more than happy to work alongside them to help put the event on – and it turned out to be a real success.

“It was great to see so many of our students join in – and to see the support from staff and governors too – with even our Vice-Chancellor taking a turn on a rowing machine! I’d like to thank everyone who took part or donated for their support – and for making the day so enjoyable.”

Picture caption: Vice Chancellor Maria Hinfelaar joins in the sponsored row.