FOUR friends who rowed 100 miles down the Thames raised more than £4,000.

Canvey islanders Carl Bowers, Ray Chuter, Charlie Willett and Garry Durant spent a week on the water in their canoes.

Starting in Godstow, outside Oxford, the four ended their journey at Hampton Court Palace, after seven days camping and rowing.

The group, who own a boat at the Island Yacht Club, have another fundraiser planned at the Oysterfleet, on Canvey, on Friday, September 26.

Mr Chuter, 67, said: “It was very hard, but I had wanted to do this for 20 years.

“I was very tired by the end of it, but it was brilliant and the donations just keep coming.

“I’ve been boating for the best part of 50 years and I thought it was about time I put something into it.

“I’ve been very fortunate and I’ve never needed the RNLI, but a fair few of my colleagues have.”

The men will present a cheque to the RNLI at the September charity event, which will run from 7pm until 12.30am. Tickets are available on the door.

To sponsor the team, visit uk.virgin moneygiving.com/ f u n d r a i s e r - w e b / fundraiser/showFundra iserProfilePage.action?

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