Transatlantic row led by businessman to support people with MND

Northamptonshire businessman Matt Sirrell will join a four-man team to row about 3,000 miles from La Gomera to English Harbour, Antigua, a challenge due to start on 12 December and expected to take around 40 days to raise funds and awareness for the MND Association.

Matt Sirrell, a Northamptonshire business owner, will be one of four men taking part in a roughly 3,000-mile transatlantic row later this year. The crew will launch from La Gomera in the Canary Islands and aim to finish at English Harbour in Antigua and Barbuda. Organisers say the crossing will take about 40 days and is planned to start on 12 December. The challenge is intended to raise money and awareness for the MND Association. What we know: - The rowing team, named Fourtitude, comprises Matt Sirrell, David Watts, Peter Haymes and Tom Foster. - The boat and team will appear at a launch event at Franklin's Gardens, ahead of the Northampton Saints v Leicester Tigers match. - The planned route runs from La Gomera to English Harbour, a distance reported as about 3,000 miles, with the start date given as 12 December and an expected duration of around 40 days. - The team describes training that addresses both physical and mental demands, saying the mental side accounts for a large portion of preparation and noting challenges such as sleep deprivation, seasickness and physical pain. - The article reports that every day six people are diagnosed with motor neurone disease and that the team is raising funds for the Northampton-based MND Association; a fundraising page and a contact email were provided. Summary: The row is framed as a community fundraising and awareness effort for motor neurone disease and is linked to a local launch event at Franklin's Gardens. The team has been training for both physical and mental challenges and is seeking support from the local business community. The voyage is scheduled to begin on 12 December and is expected to take about 40 days.