Shoppers' help for plucky Jordan

Five dry-rowing exercise machines from Life Style gym were lined up under a gazebo outside the Western Road premises for Saturday's slog.

But while Sunday's London Marathon competitors had to contend with wind and rain, Paul Burns, David Mercer, Fiona Goble and father-and-son duo Paul and Lee Holdaway enjoyed warm sunshine.

Starting shortly after 10am they sweated out their self-imposed ordeal on behalf of two good causes - the bid to send Sussex Scouts to Uganda this summer to work on a village school project and the Proteus Syndrome Foundation UK.

Nine-year-old Jordan Whitewood-Neal, the Sidley boy with Proteus Syndrome who was featured in last week's Observer, was a visitor to the sponsored row with his mother, Tracey.

Tracey was a member later in the day of a 12-member speed-relay team of Life Style Gym members who, led by Don Pay, emulated the morning's marathon achievement.

Well-wishers put 600 into the collection buckets in Western Road. The rowers also earned another 100 in sponsorship.

The event has given a welcome an timely boost to the Whitewood-Neal family.

An Observer reader, touched by Jordan's story, gave an 80 cash donation specifically earmarked not for the national Proteus Syndrome Foundation appeal but for the fund Dean and Tracey Whitewood-Neal have set up for their son. Jordan cannot ride an ordinary bike because of his difficulties.

They have their sights set on a specially-made tricycle but this could cost around 1,000.

For the rowers, Dave Mercer said the day had been highly successful.

"Lots of people stopped to watch and to put money in the buckets.

"We all got through it. My time was 3hrs 20mins, which was about what I expected. I think Paul and Lee did it in about 2hrs 40hr 40.

"The team relay event went well. We unfortunately got roped-in to the team from the gym. By doing a speed relay of not more than 20 to 30 seconds at a time you can get more speed on the meter we did it in 2hrs 26 mins.

"Bexhill Runners are doing a series of 5- kilometre races on the seafront in aid of Jordan's bike. They will be on the last Wednesday of the month, starting at the end of May. The first four will be of five kilometres and the last one will be 10 kilometres."