Sponsored rowing challenge to take place outside Sheffield cafe in aid of Sport Relief

One of Sheffield’s most popular cafés is set to play host to a sponsored rowing challenge in aid of Sport Relief.
By Alana Roberts
Published 11th Mar 2020, 15:17 BST
Updated 11th Mar 2020, 15:45 BST
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Marmadukes will be hosting its very own ‘Cambridge Street’ boat race by placing two concept rowing machines outside its new site in the Heart of the City development between 7am and 7pm on Friday, March 13.

Twelve organisations, including The Sheffield Star, Sheffield Theatres and the Sheffield Sharks, will be putting forward two rowers to take on the challenge which will see them travel a target distance of 130km within the 12 hours to raise money for Sport Relief 2020.

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Owner Tim Nye at Marmadukes, in Cambridge Street, which will be hosting the 'Cambridge Street Boat Race' in aid of Sport ReliefOwner Tim Nye at Marmadukes, in Cambridge Street, which will be hosting the 'Cambridge Street Boat Race' in aid of Sport Relief
Owner Tim Nye at Marmadukes, in Cambridge Street, which will be hosting the 'Cambridge Street Boat Race' in aid of Sport Relief
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It has been organised by owner Tim Nye, a retired police detective, who has experienced first hand the positive impact sport can have on young people.

He said: “I was seconded to run a sports charity called Sport 2000, which eventually evolved into Sporting Futures, 20 years ago. There I realised that I loved organising sporting events, it changed my perspective on young people and taught me that sport is a great unifier. There I also got to know British Paralympic rower Grace Clough, and in meeting her I got thinking ‘what could we do to help Sport Relief?’

“People have just been brilliant so far, they’ve really rallied round to help out.”

One rowing machine will be used by the sponsored rowers while the other will be available for members of the public who are invited to take part in a one-minute rowing challenge to see who can travel the furthest in the allocated time.

Marmadukes on Cambridge Street will be hosting the Sport Relief challenge on Friday, March 13.Marmadukes on Cambridge Street will be hosting the Sport Relief challenge on Friday, March 13.
Marmadukes on Cambridge Street will be hosting the Sport Relief challenge on Friday, March 13.
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Grace Clough MBE will be watching over proceedings and offering advice and support to those taking part.

The sponsored rowers will row in 30-minute time slots to travel the 65km distance to Cambridge Street, in Bradford, and back again – all while staying stationary.

Each organisation will be trying to travel the furthest distance to also be crowned the Cambridge Stree Boat Race champion rowers.

There will be a raffle, with prizes including free coffee for an entire year courtesy of the Marmadukes team.

Tim says he will be taking on the first 30-minute stint at 7am.

For tickets visit the Marmadukes website. You can also donate online via www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cambridgest-boat-race2020.

Related topics:SheffieldMarmadukesSheffield Sharks