Oarsome duo nominated for ‘Fundraiser of the Year’ at ITV’s Pride of Britain Awards

Two top fundraisers for Alzheimer’s Research UK were nominated for ‘Fundraiser of the Year’ at last night’s Pride of Britain Awards.

Following their incredible rowing challenges, 71 year old Frank Rothwell and 81 year old Major Mick Stanley joined some of the nation’s unsung heroes for the prestigious award

Although the two fundraisers for Alzheimer’s Research UK rowed for dementia research they made two very different journeys. Businessman from Oldham, Frank Rothwell, took on ‘the world’s toughest row’ as he rowed 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean, solo and raised over £1.1 million.

Retired major from the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Mick Stanley, now living in West Sussex, sailed the waterways of England, Scotland and Wales on his homemade tin boat, dubbed The Tintanic, making friends, fundraising and raising awareness for the need for vital research wherever he went.

Although neither Frank nor Mick won the award, they have both been recognised for raising urgent funds and awareness during what has been an incredibly difficult year for the charity and people with dementia.

“I feel honoured to have been nominated alongside such a remarkable group of people who have provided hope to the nation during such a difficult time for all. It took six long and lonely weeks to row the Atlantic, but the challenge itself took over 18 months of training and preparation, so I’m very proud of what I’ve achieved. After receiving news that my brother-in-law, Roger, had died with Alzheimer’s while I was at sea, I received hundreds of heartbreaking messages from people who, like me, had lost loved ones to dementia.

“Almost 1 million people live with dementia in the UK and this number continues to rise. I’d like to thank everyone who has reached into their pockets and shown their support to find a cure, it means the world to me. Thank you.”

“I had a very enjoyable and interesting time rowing my home-made boat “Tintanic” throughout the UK from May to September this year. Sadly, I have many friends and family members who have been afflicted by Alzheimer’s and other diseases that cause dementia, so I wanted to do my bit to raise funds and awareness. “I would like to thank everyone who came out to support me on my journey, cheering me along the way and kindly donating to the cause. One in two of us know someone affected by these terrible diseases, and with research we can make sure that this is not the case in the future.”

“We are incredibly proud to see two of our remarkable fundraisers recognised in this year’s Pride of Britain Awards. Both Frank and Mick deserve to celebrate their achievements after such dedication to raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s Research UK during what was a difficult year for dementia research and people affected by the condition. To bring about life-changing treatments, fundraising efforts from ordinary people like Frank and Mick and their supporters provides a crucial lifeline to the progression of our research. We are forever thankful to both for their magnificent efforts to help find a cure for dementia.”

Donations can be made to Frank’s fundraising challenge, here: