Inspiration behind Row4Charity

But it's also about an elderly lady and the devastating effect of stroke on her and the rest of the family.

Nick and Phil McCorry are half of the team from Bexhill Rowing Club attempting to row 3,400 miles from Australia to Mauritius this summer.

It was their grandmother Shelagh who became the inspiration behind the committed and enthusiastic fundraising which runs alongside preparation for the international event which could see them return as local heroes.

Shelagh was 86 when she died in February, her health having declined steadily since suffering stroke three years ago.

She was living at Thalia House but fell and broke both legs and suffered complications while being treated at the Conquest Hospital according to Steve McCorry, her son, and father to Nick and Phil.

Steve, of Cantelupe Road, said: "She did improve a bit and was well enough to leave hospital but not well enough to look after herself. So we found her an excellent home in Bay House, Middlesex Road, which was fantastic because of the kindness and generosity of the staff. They did 110 percent for my mum, and made everyone welcome who wanted to visit at any time. You couldn't fault them.

"I've learned a bit more about strokes since it happened - I don't think there is an awful lot you can do for a stroke, it is a question of monitoring it.

"I do think the general awareness of stroke is poor...but there is a television campaign on now which I think is really good, and is obviously helping to make people more aware of what a stroke can do."

The family saw Shelagh change from the proud grandmother who passionately followed Nick and Phi's every achievement in competition and scoured the local sport pages religiously, who loved to chat, cook and spend time with her family, having brought up five children of her own in Sidley.

She had moved to Bexhill in 1954 and was well-known locally thanks to her work as a dinner lady at St Peter and St Paul School, and at Bexhill grammar school, then in retirement helping out at St Mary's school Wrestwood Road where she escorted pupils on trips.

Instead Shelagh began to lose her speech, her short term memory vanished, and there was loss of movement on her left side which meant she could no longer walk.

Steve said: "She used to love to speak - she used to love following the boys' rowing career. She would read the paper cover to cover and hunt out their names.

"That was what was so sad about it really - it got so you could only ask a question if you knew what the answer was...so you could help her."

Wife Sue commented: "I think that's what upset the boys more than anything. She changed so much...She was always such a great talker, and she knew what she wanted to say but she just couldn't say it. It didn't come out right.

"I think it was a shock to Nick and Phil - to see that person she was just gone.

"I think they decided to row for her. It seemed a natural thing for them to want to do something for the Stroke Association.

"I don't think they realised how much it takes away from a person - they had never seen someone go from how she was, to where she didn't really lose herself, but she couldn't communicate, and that really upset them. I think they struggled.

"I think it was because they were thinking about doing the race and something for a charity that it just all fell together."

With crew members Matt Hellier and Ian Allen also behind the idea, Row4Charity formed in February 2008 and has pledged to raise a minimum of 10,000 for the Stroke Association, with the team and supporters taking part in a number of fundraising activities already such as this week's Hastings half-marathon for which there were 19 runners, the

Great Southern Run, a world record rowing machine attempt, and a highly successful race night recently at The Waterfront, as well as awareness-raising activity.

It's not long now until they set off to start the race from Geraldton, which is 250 miles north of Perth, with enough food in their boat to last 100 days if necessary, although they hope to finish around the 50 day mark, taking turns with two of them rowing while the other two sleep.

Mum Sue is doing her best not to worry about her sons but has concerns about sharks, while Steve thinks a whale could be more of a threat if attracted to the boat.

Sue said: "I deliberately don't think about it...we hopefully are just going to get busy and do our kitchen while they are away so we are not thinking about what they are doing."

Steve added: "We are proud of them - they are going to raise awareness of the Stroke Association. We are more excited about that than whether they are first or break any records. Obviously we want them to finish and be successful - if they finish they will be the youngest crew ever, so they will get one record, but if they finish first that will be the icing on the cake.

"Hopefully it will be an inspiration to other young people in the town, to show that you can have a dream, and it can come true."

The Row4Charity team leaves next week but Steve has planned a spectacular send-off, a firework display tomorrow night at the De La Warr Pavilion.

Weather permitting, the firework display will begin at 9pm Saturday night and members of the public are welcome - the farewell party itself begins at 7.30pm.

"It will be a celebration of different things," said Steve.

"It's something for my mum. She used to love watching fireworks. And it is to raise the profile of the cause, to make everyone aware there is a major event happening for people in Bexhill, on behalf of the Stroke Association. It's a celebration and a thank you."

For information about the team or fundraising activity visit www.row4charity.com.