Canal Boat Challenge raises more than £1,000

Rotarians and volunteers reward young carers and boost funds for a good cause.

Physically pulling a 21 ton, 72 foot canal boat from Fairfield Junction, Droylsden to Portland Basis, Ashton, may sound impossible.

But a team of Tameside Rotarians and volunteers achieved just that on Saturday - raising a grand sum at the same time.

The crew successfully pulled the canal boat ‘Still Waters’, two and-a-half miles to raise funds for a Tameside-based charity.

No crew members were made to walk the gangplank when the boat came to a temporary halt just shortly after setting off and following a determined team effort and a lot of pulling and tugging, the journey continued without any further glitches.

On-board ‘Still Waters’ were 20 Tameside young carers who enjoyed the spectacle of both the ‘pull’ and the scenery on the historic section of canal. On arrival at Portland Basin, each young person received a picnic bag donated by the Bridge View Café.

Tameside Rotary’s new President, Mohammed Shamsul Karim, part of the team pulling the boat, said: “We’re thrilled that we have risen to the challenge of the canal boat pull. It was hard work but a lot of fun. It was good to see that the young people on-board enjoyed it also. 

“We are very grateful to our sponsors who have helped make this charity event possible.”

The event was organised in conjunction with the Tameside Canal Boat Trust and was sponsored by local businesses Autotech Services, Bonut Engineering Ltd and Murray Steel Products. 

Tameside Rotary’s Steve Knowles added: “I would personally like to thank all Rotarians that turned up on the day to support the event and those who took part in the ‘Guess the time’ sponsorship. 

“The time taken to actually pull the boat, not including delays was one hour, 13 minutes and three seconds. 

“Thanks also go to Mark and Stewart from Tameside Canal Boat Trust for providing the boat and to Brian and Claire in the Bridge View Café for accommodating the children and providing a picnic box at the end. 

“A big thank you to Tameside Radio and Tameside Reporter too for promoting the event and their photographer Nigel Wood.

“Special thanks to Su who has done a fantastic job on the graphics to support the event and to Andy who provided valuable advice.

“I considered ‘The Canal Boat Challenge’ fundamentally a community project but as a plus we have been able to raise funds to support the ‘Lemonade Project’ an initiative run by the Anthony Seddon Fund”.

Steve also thanked the main sponsors and revealed that the entire event had raised just over £1,000.

pictures by NIGEL WOOD