Colchester: Pulling Together For Charity

Students and the military are getting ready to row around the clock tonight in Colchester.

The challenge starts at 6pm and will see which team can row the furthest distance before Wednesday evening.

Teams from the Parachute Regiment will take on students from the University of Essex's Rowing Club to keep two rowing machines going throughout the night.

Major Chris Tilley hopes that the event will introduce more paratroopers from the town's Merville Barracks to rowing.

He said: "The people of Colchester have always been proud and stalwart supporters of the student and military communities. I hope this event will allow us to demonstrate our gratitude by coming together in a spirit of competition to do our bit for the town in which we live."

Row 4 Colchester is raising money for a number of important charities including Combat Stress, a charity which supports veterans, the Rotary Club of Colchester, and University of Essex's Student's Union.

The UERC president George McIntosh said: "The University of Essex Rowing Club is determined to aid the University's Student's Union mission in raising money for charitable causes. Both Colchester Garrison and The University of Essex are each a significant part of Colchester town. Our partnership in this charity event seeks to raise money for the benefit of the town."

The paratroopers are visiting Ardleigh Sailing Club today to get an insight into the sport and meet some of the students taking part in tonight's challenge.

The rowing will be getting underway in Colchester's Lion Walk Shopping Centre from 6pm.

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