Adventurers begin rowing voyage from Geraldton to Mauritius to raise money for Parkinson’s research

Four rowers on a quest across the Indian Ocean to raise money to fight Parkinson’s disease have set off from Geraldton. Chris Cleghorn, Ben Mann, Allan Huntly and Steve Easter, who will be rowing 5800km to Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius, set off in the early hours of Thursday morning. The rowers have got together for Indi Row 2023, a fundraiser aiming to raise $100,000 for Parkinson’s disease research. It is a voyage the crew have been preparing two years for, which will see them living on their 9m long boat while they take turns rowing two-at-a-time. They hope to beat the current record and make the trip in under 68 days, although they are expecting it will take between 70-80 days. Mr Cleghorn, who has previously crossed the Atlantic Ocean, said he expected it would be a tough task. “It’s definitely going to be tough on our bodies, definitely a challenge,” he said. “Sleep deprivation, hunger, sores, everything like that so it’s going to be a hard one.” Despite the pain, Mr Cleghorn said it was worth it for a worthy cause. His mother-in-law was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2007, an illness he knew nothing about at the time, pushing him to learn more. “It’s not the everyday thing you do . . . the biggest driver is trying to raise money for Parkinson’s, the fact there isn’t a cure and trying to fine one,” Mr Cleghorn said. “The second part is the adventure, trying to inspire the younger generation to get out there and see what you can do.” Mr Cleghorn said the crew was facing the arduous mission in good spirits. “It’s going to be a good time, it will be hard but we will have a laugh,” he said.