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Frank Rothwell rowed across the Atlantic
Photo: Alzheimer's Research UK / dpa
From the Canary Islands to Antigua in the Caribbean: For six weeks, a 70-year-old Briton rowed around 3,000 miles across the Atlantic - and is celebrated in the media for two reasons: Firstly, he is considered the oldest person such a rowing game succeeded without help.
Second, he managed to get a lot of attention and money for an important topic.
With his special trip, Frank Rothwell wanted to collect donations for research into Alzheimer's disease, from which his brother-in-law suffered, as reported by the Guardian and the BBC.
Around 800,000 euros came from individual donors alone.
A single company put a larger sum on it, so that the targeted million mark is cracked.
His 62-year-old brother-in-law died while he was still at sea, the 70-year-old reported.
“When I was rowing, I got heartwarming messages from people who had experiences similar to mine.
I therefore hope that I have somehow helped other families with my campaign. "
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Frank Rothwell on target
Photo: Alzheimer's Research UK / dpa
Crossing the finish line was a "euphoric moment," said Rothwell, whose rowboat is reported to have the telling name "Never Too Old".
The 70-year-old is considered an adventurer who made a name for himself in the past with daring actions.
Around 20 years ago he sailed around the world alone on his yacht, later he climbed Kilimanjaro, as Rothwell writes on his website.
Compared to his most recent adventure, however, all of these were "walks".
For around a year and a half, he prepared for the six-week long Atlantic crossing in a rowboat, including a lot of sport and training.
He is therefore now "very proud of what I have achieved and of this incredible journey that I have made."
Rothwell even arrived in Antigua a few days earlier than planned.
By Valentine's Day, February 14th, at the latest, he wanted to take his wife Judith, 50, in his arms again.
Now the time had come on Saturday.
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