Adrian Beardmore from Lancashire police contacted us to tell us about a recent rowathon at Skelmersdale police station to raise funds for Mencap West Lancs.

"We held a rowathon on Wednesday 20 June at Skelmersdale police station and the intention of the event was to raise funds for Mencap West Lancs. In particular, the money raised would go towards the hire of a specially adapted coach to take a group of people with learning disabilities to visit the Lancashire Constabulary Mounted Branch on 6 July. The target was £500 and the event was held during Learning Disability week.

The event took the form of a relay type event using indoor rowing machines over 12 hours, between 8am and 8pm.

Over 50 people took part in the event during the day, participants included people with learning disabilities and people with physical disabilities, police officers, police staff and teams representing Ormskirk hospital and Mencap West Lancs. The police officers and staff who took part included neighbourhood policing team, CID and response officers for the area.

Everyone enjoyed themselves. So much so in fact, that one girl from Mencap, Grace, came back later in the day to have another go.

The event raised over £1000 - double the original target."