Two Castle Semple members who are proposing to row the length of the Thames in order to raise funds for British Retinitis Pigmentosa Society, which is a charity which promotes research into the eye condition called Retinitis Pigmentosa, RP. RP affects the light receptors at the back of the eye causing them to die off which in turn results in creeping blindness because light signals do not reach the brain from the retina. John McKinney, who is one of Scottish Rowing's much loved umpires is joining fellow Lifelong Castle Semple Rowing club member David McMillan who suffers from this condition in this adventure.

Sir Matthew Pinsent has also happily agreed to come on board to support and promote their cause. The boys, average age 71, will row 166 miles through 45 locks from Lechdale to the Thames Barrier from the 8th to the 15th May. Their boat is being coxed by Sara Stark and their land support crew consists of David's friend Jock Jenkins and Lesley Afuakwah from Castle Semple Rowing Club. They have a Just Giving page www.justgiving/thamesrow/2013 and a Facebook Page - Thames Row 2013 which gives regular updates.