Valentines day, 2011, saw 10 soldiers from the Lincoln area begin their row down the River Helmand. This event followed in the same vein as previous fundraisers, with Help for Heroes unanimously selected to be the charity beneficiary of the event.

Prior to the row commencing, operational commitments neatly divided the group into 2 teams, one of which was based out of RAF Waddington and the other rowing at Camp Bastion gym, Afghanistan.

Both the Bastion and UK based teams rowed 55-80km between them each day until they had completed the event. The achievement of these distances brought the teams to their respective target totals, which was 1150km (715 miles). The 1150km is the equivalent distance of the River Helmand, from its source in the Hindu Kush Mountains to the lakes on the Afghan-Iranian border.

The UK based team consisted of Chris Cartwright, Simon Berwick, John Curwen, Lewis Howlett and Jake Kay. Though the recent participation in a couple of rowing jollies on the River Trent, allowed a brief introduction to the sport for both Simon and Jake; the relentless and sometimes painful pursuit of Concept2 rowing ensured that this fundraiser was a real challenge for all concerned.

The Afghan based team, who at the time of the row, were working in support to Op HERRICK, aimed to match the UK based rower’s distances. The phenomenal effort put in by the Helmand based rowers is a testament to the calibre of their team, with rowing commitments often being squeezed around exceedingly long days. The Bastion team was headed up by Dom McMinn with Luke Donovan, Tom Hobbs and Luke Dodington-Boyes and John Brown joining him in the challenge.

Throughout the row the team’s enthusiasm and resolve remained high with many of the team members achieving their individual rowing commitment in under the projected 3 weeks. Both Chris Cartwright and John Curwen spent a portion of their post deployment leave rowing. Some phenomenal solo performances greatly inspired the 2 teams, during the event; with Luke Dodington-Boyes is taking it upon himself to cover a marathon (42.2km) in 3hr 20 min, in a single sitting. John Brown, not to be outdone by his team mate, decided to run a half marathon in the sweltering Afghan heat then promptly join his team in the gym to continue with the row.

The event was initially expected to raise around the £450 mark, however an exceptional response from friends, family, colleagues and the wider ergo-rowing community have allowed the teams to raise over £2000. It is hoped this wave of support will continue, with the teams hoping to push as far beyond the current total as they can until the webpage goes offline in July.

Though the event has now been completed you can still donate online and look at the various photos and from both the Afghanistan and UK based teams taken throughout their challenge at www.justgiving.com/River-Helmand-Row.