Sussex South launches epic charity rowing challenge to help end Dementia
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At GoodOaks, we are incredibly proud to celebrate the inspiring launch of GoRo, an ambitious charity rowing challenge led by our Sussex South branch, who are aiming to row an astonishing 17.5 million metres (the equivalent of rowing from Worthing to Tasmania!) in support of Dementia UK and St Barnabas House Hospice Worthing.
This initiative, conceived by Rebecca Drew, Managing Director of GoodOaks Sussex South and long-time rowing enthusiast, has brought together a determined team affectionately known as “The GoodOaks Girls.”
Everyday, they will be rowing on Oak WaterRower machines to raise vital awareness and £20,000 for people living with dementia and the carers who support them.
A launch event full of energy and community spirit
The launch took place last Wednesday and was a true celebration of purpose, perseverance, and people coming together. The event featured live music from Jay Sings Swing, speeches from charity partners, and plenty of coffee and cake to fuel the crowd. It was an opportunity to hear directly from those whose lives are touched by dementia, as well as the team rowing to make a difference.
Special guests also included GoodOaks Co-Founder Darius Mitkus who supported the team in person, even jumping on the WaterRower to row his first 50 metres!
“This challenge perfectly embodies the GoodOaks values,” said Darius. “We’re incredibly proud of our Sussex South team and will be cheering them on every step of the way.”
Why rowing? Why Tasmania?
The 17.5 million metre target reflects the distance from Worthing to Hobart, Tasmania which is home to one of the world’s leading dementia research centres. It’s also a powerful way to highlight the long and often exhausting journey that carers and people living with dementia face every day.
“We will row in the sunshine. We will row in the rain. We will row when we ache. Because those we support never get a day off,” said one of the team members during the event.
The “Never Alone Promise” behind GoRo is simple but powerful: every metre rowed is a step towards making sure no one faces dementia alone.
Get Involved – Let’s row this together
The epic challenge could take up to a year to complete so they’re calling on the local community and beyond to join in. Whether you can row 100 metres, donate £5, or simply share their story, every action counts.
Here’s how you can help:
- Donate via the JustGiving page
- Pop to their office and row on one of the machines
- Share their story on social media to help spread the word
We’ll be tracking their progress and cheering from the sidelines as they row their way across the globe in support of a future where no one faces dementia alone.
From all of us at HQ, we couldn’t be prouder.
For more information about their visiting and live-in care services, you can contact the team HERE.
