Grandfather raises money for Alzheimer's research by rowing solo across the Atlantic


Frank Rothwell's fundraiser for Alzheimer's research also put him in the record books.
Rothwell, 70, lives in Oldham, England. To raise money for Alzheimer's Research UK, Rothwell rowed 3,000 miles solo across the Atlantic Ocean, leaving the Canary Islands on Dec. 12 and arriving in Antigua on Saturday. He is now the oldest person to ever take on this feat, and also raised more than £640,000 ($878,761), with Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation doubling the first £500,000 ($686,532) in donations.
Crossing the finish line was a "completely euphoric moment," Rothwell told PA Media, and while it took six weeks to cross the ocean, he had been preparing and training for 18 months. He was inspired to raise money for Alzheimer's Research UK after seeing his brother-in-law battle the disease, and said he is grateful for "everyone who has reached into their pockets and donated. Having the support from so many means the world to me." Catherine Garcia
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Selfies ban in art galleries: a sign of the times?
Talking Point Priceless art has been damaged by visitors desperate to take a snap with star attractions, leading some galleries and museums to start fighting back
-
Quiz of The Week: 21 – 27 June
Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
-
The Week Unwrapped: How do you turn plastics into paracetamol?
Podcast Plus, what is the Wagner Group doing now? And why is it so hard to find a job after university?
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read