Three men in a train cab row London to Paris for cancer

Three Southern Rail train drivers will be relay-rowing the distance from London to Paris during a 24-hour non-stop marathon effort on Brighton station concourse this Friday and Saturday (11 and 12 January).

The 214-mile ‘rowathon’ as it has been dubbed, is in aid of Cancer Research UK. Cancer recently claimed the life of a colleague, and other drivers who work in Southern's teams at Brighton, Eastbourne and Redhill are also undergoing treatment for the disease.

Driver competency manager Richard Quinn will be in the rowing hotseat with drivers Gary Harman and Richard Brown, from 12 noon on Friday.

Richard Quinn said: “In the past year, five of my direct family members plus work colleagues have been diagnosed or treated for cancer. Sadly, I’ve known of several deaths because of this cruel disease.

"Some of their treatments were discovered by the work of Cancer Research UK. To show my gratitude and help support further research programmes, I’m taking on this epic challenge to raise awareness and much-needed funds.”

Richard Brown said: “I’m doing this for a great cause and a tough challenge. I’m personally motivated because I lost my best friend Elena to Non-Hodgkin lymphoma two years ago after a long battle. It made me painfully aware of just how cruel and non-discriminating cancer could be.”

There are 185 Southern drivers based at Brighton. Richard Quinn, 42, from Portslade added: “Everyone is behind us. They all think we’re mad but they will be coming down and cheering us on.

“The point is we are choosing to suffer to help people who have no choice but to suffer.”

The drivers have borrowed the two rowing machines from Hove and Burgess Hill fire stations and between them aim to raise £2,000.

Anyone who would like to support them should visit their sponsorship page – https://bit.ly/2sdmYrR

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Notes to editors

Richard Quinn is available for interview before and during the event