A TEAM of charity rowers who were mistaken for a "migrant dinghy" by MP Rupert Lowe have completed an epic journey around Britain, raising more than £150,000 to fight motor neurone disease.
The four-man Row4MND crew finished the latest stage of their four-year fundraising challenge in Scotland early on Sunday morning, having battled storms, strong winds and difficult tides during more than 2000 nautical miles at sea.
But one of the more unusual obstacles came last summer when Restore Britain MP Lowe wrongly identified the charity rowers as refugees attempting to enter the UK.
Lowe shared an image on social media showing their boat near wind turbines, writing: "Dinghies coming into Great Yarmouth, RIGHT NOW."
HM Coastguard subsequently contacted the vessel and established that the men on board were charity rowers making their way from Land's End to John O'Groats.
Crew member and former Royal Marine Mike Bates said at the time: "I just thought it was ridiculous."
Now, a year on from the bizarre incident, Bates and fellow rowers Matt Parker, Aaron Kneebone and Gareth Timmins have completed their circumnavigation of mainland Britain.
The final leg saw the crew depart from the Isle of Skye on Monday evening before making their way around the north of Scotland and down the east coast, reaching the mouth of the Firth of Forth early on Sunday.
The challenge was completed across four legs over 12 months, with the team spending a total of 39 days at sea and burning an estimated 6000 calories per person each day.
Along the way, they experienced temperatures in the 30s as well as wind chill as low as minus 5C, while contending with storms and difficult sea conditions.
The challenge has so far raised more than £150,000 for three charities supporting the fight against MND: the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, Leeds Hospitals Charity and the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
Parker, co-founder of Row4MND, said: "We've been overwhelmed by the support and kindness of people we've met during this journey and the level of generosity shown by those who have donated to these causes.
"Motor Neurone Disease is a cruel illness, and there's still not enough awareness.
"Much more needs to be done to find a cure, and if we can help shine a spotlight on three brilliant charities involved in the fight, that's the least we can do."
Bates said the crew had experienced "so much" during the journey, including spectacular wildlife and meeting people across every nation of the UK.
He added: "With the support of our friends and families, we've deepened our resolve to do what we can in the fight against MND.
"We're already looking forward to the challenges that await in 2027 and 2028, as we push on and take it to the next level."
Former rugby league star and MND campaigner Sir Kevin Sinfield praised the team's efforts.
He said: "What these guys are doing is epic. Seeing the impact that raising funds and awareness to fight MND is having shows we are moving forward together."
Esther Wakeman, chief executive of Leeds Hospitals Charity, said the money raised would help support the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease.
She said: "Every mile rowed has played a crucial role in raising awareness and much-needed funds to support MND charities.
"The money raised for Leeds Hospitals Charity will help us continue to enhance the Rob Burrow Centre for MND, by funding specialist equipment, family support services, holistic therapies and pioneering research."
The epic voyage is only one stage of the crew's four-year challenge.
They are now planning to row in the Arctic in 2027 before attempting to set a world record by rowing from New York to London in 2028.
To follow the crew’s journey and donate, visit www.row4mnd.com or find @ROW4MND on Instagram.
