A group of Wigan travel agents have rowed the length of the English Channel to raise money for their local hospice.

The eight-strong team from Hays Travel on Market Place in Wigan took it in turns on an instore rowing machine to complete the 570km.

The challenge raised £810 for Wigan and Leigh Hospice, where they provide palliative and end-of-life care to people in the area.

Travel consultant, Yasemin Tasdelen, said: “We chose this charity because the hospice is currently supporting one of the team’s relatives.

“All of us took part in the rowing challenge, taking turns on the machine instore and clocking up the kilometres. We had a Go Fund Me page but also customers were popping in to make donations. So far, we have raised an incredible £810.”

Community fundraiser, Emily Morris, said: “We'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone at Hays Travel Wigan for their fantastic fundraising efforts.

“Rowing the longest length of the English Channel on a rowing machine is an amazing achievement, and we're so grateful for the energy and commitment you've put into supporting Wigan and Leigh Hospice.

“Your efforts help us to continue caring for local people within our community when they need it most.”

Hays Travel is the UK’s largest independent travel agent, with branches across the UK – all committed to supporting their customers and the local communities they serve. 

Each Hays Travel branch is provided with a £500 budget to use for fundraising and charity work in their local area; £200 of this is to be used to fundraise for charities which support young people’s mental health, and the other £300 can be used for charities chosen by the branch.

In the last year, Hays Travel’s Local Community Partnership initiative across its retail network has donated almost £170,000 to local charities.

To donate to Hays Travel Wigan’s fundraiser, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/9p746b-wigan-and-leigh-hospice