ATLANTIC long-distance rower has expressed his gratitude over the "brilliant" fund-raising events being carried out in support of multiple sclerosis, with his mother Rose suffering from the condition.

Ben, 25, from Bracknell, along with Isaac Kenyon, Jack Hopkins and Cameron Parker rowed 3,000 miles from the Canaries to Antigua.

Among those who saw them depart on their gruelling and hazardous adventure were Tony Unwin, who also suffers from MS, and his wife Sue from Crowthorne.

They just happened to be on holiday in Tenerife at the time and, amazingly they were also on the Caribbean island to cheer them home 40 days and nights later.

Immediately, they decided to help Ben and his crewmates raise funds for MS and the Berkshire MS Therapy Centre in Reading with the target being £60,000.

A former head boy at Garth Hill College, Ajayi-Obe said: "At the end of the row, we were a little bit short of our target, but people like Sue and Tony, who have their own struggles, were inspired by our challenge and continued our efforts to raise money. We are so grateful and appreciative that the community is continuing to support our campaign."

With Tony once being a keen golfer, the Belfry club in Warwickshire got to hear about the fundraising whilst also being hugely impressed by the Atlantic rowers, and they generously donated a round for four people at their Ryder Cup Brabazon Course as the prize for a raffle.

The Unwins arranged it and the draw for the raffle was made at the Alan Kluckow Fine Art gallery in Sunningdale last Thursday with the winning ticket being pulled out by local resident Michael King, the Reading-born professional golfer.

The lucky recipient was Paul Bidmead. but friends of his have offered to buy the prize with the proceeds being split between the MS and the Lucy's Bowl for Guide Dogs charity which Paul supports.

The Atlantic rowers still have some way to go in reaching their target of £60,000 and further donations would be very welcome.

They can be made at

www.atlanticdiscovery.co.uk