MEMBERS of Bewdley Rowing Club have raised more than £500 for an organisation that introduces children to the sport by rowing 32 miles of the River Severn.

The men's crew of Richard Carter, Paul Stanley, James Ritchie, Sam Writtle, James Brown, Andrew Gittins, James Carr-Saunders and Jeremy Levell, coxed by Alex Bushnell, completed the journey in five hours, 29 minutes.

The women's crew of Kat Carlyle, Philippa Capel, Beth Martyn Smith, Laura Hewit, Kim Martyn Smith, Alice Demuth, Emma Paine and Sally Gittins, coxed by Maddi, Belsey Day, covered the distance in six hours, 13 minutes.

Bewdley was one of three rowing clubs taking part in the event. The others were Upton, which hosted it and Ross.

The money raised goes to Explore Rowing. Participant Kat Carlyle said: "Three-quarters of the way through, we were wondering when it was going to end but, to help us through to the finish, our cox started playing music.

“That was inspiring. At the end we were all very tired and we had many blisters but, having never rowed together before, we were amazed at having completed it, even having enough energy for a little race piece at the end. We will certainly do it again next year."