Adventurous good Samaritans prepare to row from Geraldton to Africa to raise funds to fight Parkinson’s

Four adventurers are preparing for an arduous voyage across the Indian Ocean to fight Parkinson’s Disease, and are asking people to support their good cause. Chris Cleghorn, Ben Mann, Allan Huntly and Steve Easter will be rowing 5800km across the Indian Ocean from Geraldton to Mauritius, a task they expect will take more than two months. The rowers have got together for Indi Row 2023, a fundraiser aiming to raise $100,000 for Parkinson’s Disease research for their charity, The Brain Waves Foundation. Mr Cleghorn is a former marine from the United Kingdom, who previously rowed across the Atlantic Ocean in 2011 with his brother for Parkinson’s UK. For him, its a deeply personal issue which has driven him for many years. “In 2007 my mother-in-law was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. I can still remember when she told us in the kitchen . . . I had never heard of it, but the expression on my wife’s face told me it wasn’t good,” he said. “I knew nothing about it, I set out to find out more, learned there was no cure, and that was really the catalyst for me.” It’s not only disease that pushes him, however, it’s also about being able to show what people can do when they put their minds to it. “It’s good for the younger generation to know there is more than the Xbox, you can get out, test yourself, get a taste of adventure in the world, push your boundaries and your limits and test yourself,” Mr Cleghorn said. The group expects to take 70 to 80 days to complete the journey, which only 60 have completed, but are pushing to beat the record of 68 days. This means, for more than two months, they will be confined to a 9m-long ocean rowing boat where they will cook, eat, sleep and communicate with the outside world, when they aren’t rowing Two will stay in the cabin while the other two are rowing, rotating every two hours. For several months, the group has been training and preparing their boat for the conditions they expect to face. They’ve also been raising funds and have almost already hit their goal, and are now hoping to smash past it. “It’s been a good journey so far, sometimes the hardest part is getting to the starting line,” Mr Cleghorn said. The group is also seeking help with shipping the boat from Mauritius to Europe after their voyage, and asking for help from anyone who may be able to assist. The team is aiming to begin their campaign at some point in May depending on conditions. To donate, go to https://www.ior23.com.