Rowing a Million Metres for Children with Cancer

Be part of an extraordinary mission to row one million metres and set a new world record, with the aim to make a difference to the lives of children with cancer and their families, on the South Coast of England.

The funds raised will support Momentum in Fitness Charity with their ‘PB Active’ project, delivering life changing exercise therapy to children under the care of the Piam Brown Unit at Southampton General Hospital and out in the community.

Together, we can make every pull, make a difference.

What is the Thanks a Million Challenge?

Our challenge involves a mixed team of 12 people, consisting of 9 males and 3 females, rowing 1,000,000 metres non stop as a team on a Concept2 rowing machine. . The challenge will set a Guinness World Record™ as long as it's completed within 61 hours 58 minutes 41 seconds. The challenge will take place between the 4th and 6th June 2025 in the foyer of Southampton General Hospital.

Why this challenge?

The challenge is the brainchild of Gihan Ganesh, a father who's one year old daughter was diagnosed with a very rare, advanced and complex pelvic tumour in 2022. During this daunting time, rowing was the only minuscule bit of exercise Gihan could manage during her treatment – the very occasional moment of focus outside of her care. Secondly, it requires both physical and mental toughness as well as being unforgiving and precise, it is a fitting micro representation of what his daughter had to go through. By aiming for a Guiness World Record™ we are setting the bar as high as possible.

Gihan aim is to raise £1000 for every day that his daughter was on active treatment, which is £169,000 total. He says: "This figure will provide the funds to establish and run the PB Active Project from Momentum in Fitness Charity  for the next 3 years. Please give what you can to help us do something amazing''.

How you can help

Please help support this challenge and Momentum in Fitness charity's PB Active project by donating on the link below. 

You can also help by sharing information on this challenge far and wide, perhaps on your social media accounts, via email, on work intranet's and notice boards, and by considering nominating Momentum in Fitness Charity as your charity of the year at your workplace. Whether you give a one off amount, arrange a fundraiser for us, or commit to give regularly, you'll be supporting our valuable work and changing lives of children with cancer and their families, through physical exercise therapy. 

I, unfortunately, know that the cancer journey is utterly brutal for the children and their families. This therapy will be able to deliver a moment of positivity whilst at the same time helping the children counteract the damaging physical effects of cancer and
treatment. 

Gihan Ganesh

Team Captain

Meet Our Dedicated Rowers

Gihan Ganesh

Gihan Ganesh

Team Captain

Dave Timbrell

Dave Timbrell

Rower

Andy Challen

Andy Challen

Rower

Andrew Brides

Andrew Brides

Rower

David Haughie

David Haughie

Rower

 Hugo Gale

Hugo Gale

Rower

Mark Abthorpe

Mark Abthorpe

Rower

Simon Maris

Simon Maris

Rower

Carlos Bagrie

Carlos Bagrie

Rower

Georgie Taylor-Darke

Georgie Taylor-Darke

Rower

Katie King

Katie King

Rower

Laura Barrigan

Laura Barrigan

Rower

“It’s brilliant – the children are asking for it and all the parents we’ve offered it to really want it. It’s having a hugely positive impact on patient care already, and it’s only just started”

Consultant on the Piam Brown ward

Challenge Statistics

Our million metre row will make a significant difference to the lives of hundreds of children and their families. Here are some of our challenge stats:

Incredible Rowers

Our team will consist of 12 incredible rowers who are relentlessly training to smash the challenge!

Total metres to be rowed

To set the Guinness World Record™ and fulfil our challenge, we need to row 1 million metres as a team in 61 hours 58 minutes 41 seconds!

Fundraising target

Our target is £1000 for every day (169) that Gihan's daughter spent on active treatment

About Momentum in Fitness Charity

Momentum in Fitness is a charity that provides and facilitates accessible fitness sessions for local people across Hampshire.

We aim to break down and overcome the barriers which prevent some individuals and groups in our community from being physically active. Our work supports  everyone to experience the wide range of benefits from participating in exercise.

We believe everyone should be able, and have equal access to experience the benefits of participating in physical activity and exercise. However, we know that in reality there are many vast and complex barriers to entry for people within our community.

We're working on projects facilitating life-changing physical therapy to children with, and recovering from cancer; to over 55 year olds to get more active, make new connections and reduce social isolation, and with groups teens with SEMH needs who would otherwise not have access to exercise. 

Donate to the challenge

Please click below to make a one-off or regular donation to support Momentum in Fitness Charity. Your donations will help us continue to deliver life changing exercise therapy to more children and guarantee the future of this project.