Rowers set off from Skye in 'gruelling' challenge to circumnavigate Great Britain in aid of MND

A crew of rowers have set off on their last leg of the gruelling challenge to row around Great Britain to raise funds for motor neurone disease (MND).

The Row4MND team consists of Matt Parker, Matt Bates, Aaron Kneebone, and Gareth Timmins, left the Isle of Skye sailing under the Skye Bridge earlier this week.

They will face brutal conditions as they head north around the rugged and wild north coast of Scotland towards John O’Groats.

The team have set their sights on arriving in North Berwick sometime next week.

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Since setting off in the summer, the foursome have faced chilling temperatures, fierce winds and rough seas.

Their efforts have already raised more than £150,000 for three charities which focus on supporting those with MND.

These are the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation; Leeds Hospitals Charity; and the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

The crew have already spent 33 days at sea, covering up to 80 nautical miles per day and burning thousands of calories due to the constant rowing.

Project co-founder Matthew Parker said: “We’ve been sustained through this challenge by the knowledge that what we are doing is directly making an impact in the fight against MND.

The foursome have already completed three legs around the west and south coast of Great Britain. Eoghan Smith.

“This is a cruel illness and more needs to be done to find a cure. The three charities we’re supporting are doing crucial work to that end.

“However gruelling it might have been over the course of this feat, facing temperatures as low as 2.5 degrees and winds of over 25 knots, we’re focussed as a crew to get the job done.”

Crew member Mike Bates said: “This latest leg will take us around the Northern end of Scotland, through beautiful but treacherous territory.

“With strong tides and hidden underwater obstacles in our path, we’ll need to be vigilant 24/7. After an eventful challenge so far, we’re looking forward to getting stuck into what’s ahead and hopefully avoiding any of the curveballs we’ve had to contend with in the previous three legs.”