2021 Winner
Frank Rothwell
Pensioner raised £1million for dementia research with a gruelling transatlantic rowing challenge.
Record-breaking pensioner Frank Rothwell had Pride of Manchester host Kym Marsh beaming with his one-liners and infectious laugh.
Our Fundraiser of the Year became the oldest person to row solo across the Atlantic unassisted, raising more than £1 million for Alzheimer’s research UK on the 3,000-mile, two-month voyage.
He set off from the Canary Islands on December 12 and spent Christmas at sea before reaching Antigua 56 days later.
Actor and Pride of Manchester judge John Thomson surprised him with his award at home in Oldham, in a hilarious presentation featuring Frank’s beloved steam-powered Land Rover.
“I was gobsmacked, awards like this are for people who do really special things,” said Frank. “It’s for people who do special things every day like nurses, not for people like me. Winning this award is absolutely brilliant.
“It was great meeting John, we had a great bit of banter.”
Retired businessman Frank is the oldest person to have completed the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, known as the ‘the world’s toughest row’, and the challenge’s biggest fundraiser.
Frank said: “It was incredibly tough at times, with rough seas, huge waves, and missing my wife, Judith. But as exhausting as it was, it was all totally worth it, as I hope the money we raised will make a huge difference to so many lives.
“When I first formed the plan, I purely wanted to do it to challenge myself. I would have climbed up Everest but to do that someone has to guide you up and I wanted to do something on my own. This row I would have to complete totally on my own.
“Once I got my name on the list I realised I could raise a serious amount of money.”
Frank decided to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK, inspired by his brother-in-law Roger who suffered from the condition.
Frank added: “For me the amount raised was incredible but it was also about raising awareness. So many more people are facing this condition that funding research is vital.”
While at sea, Frank received heartbreaking news that his brother-in-law had passed away with Alzheimer’s at the age of 62. But the loss has only spurred him on to do more and he plans to repeat his Atlantic adventure in 2023.
“I have already ordered the boat so it is something I can work towards,” he said. “And my wife Judith is happy with it.”
Hilary Evans, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said the charity was “honoured to have such amazing support from Frank”. She added: “His courage and determination helped him to complete his epic challenge and raise £1m for dementia research and will be a huge benefit to the groundbreaking research we carry out here.”