FOUR rowers are cycling the length of the country in memory of a popular coach.

Bill Grant was coaching Durham Amateur Rowing Club (DARC) members on the River Wear in Durham City from his bicycle on the riverbanks when he suffered a suspected heart attack and fell into the water on Saturday, February 28.

The 67-year-old retired jeweller from Cleadon, near South Shields, died, leaving a wife and three children.

Now four DARC members are pedalling from Land’s End to John O’Groats in his memory, to raise money for the Great North Air Ambulance, that came to his aid, and his beloved DARC.

The 1,000-mile challenge began on Tuesday (July 21). The four hope to reach John O’Groats on Saturday, August 1.

Yesterday (Thursday, July 23), the team reached Bristol.

Money will be split equally between the two causes. Donate at justgiving.com/teams/DARC

Follow the team’s progress at darcendtoendcycle.wordpress.com