Frank broadcasts from the mid-atlantic as total raised rises to £500,000
Date published: 22 December 2020
Frank is rowing solo across the Atlantic
Oldham adventurer Frank Rothwell has thanked his supporters for raising £500,000 for Alzheimer's Research UK.
Frank is in the middle of his extraordinary Atlantic challenge, as he attempts to row solo across the ocean in a 3000 mile journey.
Last night, he spoke to the BBC's Roger Johnson by satellite phone from his boat named "Never Too Old!"
Frank said he was making good progress: "My target was 45 miles a day, and if I hit that target, then my darling wife Judith and myself would be having a valentine's day dinner.
"But at the moment, I'm doing 52 miles a day, so I'm really happy about that."
The fearless adventurer said he was lucky to have been helped by the wind direction, and he was now ahead of schedule.
Asked by the broadcaster if he'd seen any interesting sights on his journey so far, Frank said "I've seen a minky whale, but by the time I got my camera it'd gone!.
"I've seen a couple of ships. One came within 100 metres of me, which was a bit scary. I waved at them and nobody waved back, so I'm not sure if anyone saw me or not."
He told the programme that he had a special companion on the trip.
"My grandson gave me an elf, called Eric, and I've strapped him to the radio aerial. And I can tell how windy it is. If he puts one leg up in the wind, it's a bit windy. If two legs are flopping in the wind, it's very windy. If it's two legs and an arm it's REALLY windy!"
Frank, who is a father of two and grandfather of three, said he was grateful to everyone who has supported his fun raising challenge.
Frank is hoping to raise £1million for Alzheimer's Research UK. He told the Oldham Chronicle earlier this year that it was a charity close to his heart.
"I’ve seen the heartbreak dementia causes, but at the moment there are no treatments to make it easier, or slow down its onset, never mind cure it.
"Unfortunately, charities like Alzheimer’s Research UK are going through a very difficult time during this pandemic, taking a huge loss in donations. I believe we can help them find life-changing treatments and eradicate this terrible condition for our children and grandchildren. So, I’d be grateful to anyone who can support me."
You can donate to Frank’s fundraising challenge here.
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