Garage staff push the boat out for charity (From Wharfedale Observer)

Garage staff push the boat out for charity

Staff from a chain of car dealerships will be taking part in a series of rowing challenges this weekend.

Luke Grose and Alex Macdonald train in the North Sea for their Atlantic record bid in aid of Macmillan Cancer Care

JCT600 garages will stage the events in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, from 10am to 3pm on Saturday.

Inspired by JCT600’s support for two Yorkshiremen in their quest to row the Atlantic in the Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race, 17 teams of staff will take part in the challenge at JCT600’s Volkswagen Bradford dealership in Sticker Lane, Bradford.

Alex Macdonald and Luke Grose, known as Team JCT600, will begin the 3,000-mile epic race on December 6.

With the support of JCT600 they are to challenge the current 40-day record in the name of Yorkshire, and hope to raise £10,000 for Macmillan.

Jack Tordoff, JCT600 chairman, and John Tordoff, JCT600 chief executive, with rowers Luke Grose and Alex Macdonald at the JCT600 head office

Their craft, JCT600 Yorkshire Challenger, a 23ft handmade wooden rowing boat, will be displayed at the Bradford Volkswagen dealership throughout Saturday’s event. Teams of four JCT600 staff will compete on indoor rowing machines to see how far they can row in a 30-minute tag race.

JCT600 chief executive John Tordoff said: “Alex and Luke have been planning and training for the race for over five years and we know they will be one of the best prepared teams to attempt to cross the Atlantic. We hope local people will join us at our Bradford event.”

e-mail: steve.teale@telegraphandargus.co.uk