Police team ready to row for charity (From Thisisdorset)

Police team ready to row for charity

4:00pm Tuesday 24th November 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

A TEAM of 21 officers and staff from Dorset Police will set off for France this week for the Munro’s Mariners charity kayaking expedition.

They will head to France On Wednesday ready to start their challenge early on Saturday from Pointe de Grave, the most northern point of the Gironde River.

The team will then kayak for 70 miles, over four days, up the Gironde and Garonne rivers in France to Blaye – retracing the route taken by Operation Frankton during the Second World War.

They are due to finish the trip on Tuesday December 1 in Blaye, near Bordeaux.

The expedition is in memory of Dorset Police Inspector Neil Munro, who tragically died last year, and all the money donated will be split between three local charitable causes in Neil’s honour – the Special Boat Service Association, the Neo-Natal Unit at Poole Hospital and the Dorset Police Benevolent Fund.

So far £8,700 has been raised, leaving the team well on course to reach their £10,000 target.

Expedition organiser and Dorset Police Superintendent Mick Rogers said: “We have been planning and training for the expedition for the last 18 months and the whole team just can’t wait to get out on the water now and begin the challenge.

“We’ve worked so hard to become accomplished kayakers and have undertaken endurance trips, in addition to our training, to make sure we’re all ready for the challenge.

“While we’re in France, our website munrosmariners.com will also be regularly updated by our support team, so you’ll be able to follow our progress over the three days.”

He added: “We want to raise as much money as possible for the three worthy causes in memory of our friend Neil and the support we’ve received has really been encouraging.

“I’d urge anyone who hasn’t already done so to visit our website where you can donate online and find out our latest progress,” Superintendent Rogers said.