Julian Thorogood and Brian Cushing spent their careers on or near the water since both trained for the Merchant Navy in 1962 off Greenhithe.
They decided to mark 46 years of involvement in British Seafaring by rowing 20 miles up the River Thames.
The challenge started at St Katharine’s Pier at 12.30pm on Friday 25 April and finished at the Teddington Boundary Stone just five hours later.
Julian said: “Brian and I trained on the Thames off Greenhithe between 1962 and 1965 and went on to become Master Mariners.
“When it came to organising this ‘retirement row’ we were keen to support a charity in the East End, the place where we first joined our ships as apprentices, back in the 60s at the Royal Albert Docks.
“We were most impressed with the work being done at Richard House and the support that it gives to the local and wider community. “A simple visit to the hospice won us over and we decided that we would do as much as possible to help.”
Messers Thorogood and Cushing were sculling ‘Meagan’ a Thames skiff built by the Hobb’s bros., of Henley in 1888 and now owned by Mark Edwards of the Richmond Boat Yard. They are most grateful to the Port of London Authority who allowed the challenge to take place.
Richard House Events Fundraiser Susie Broadley said: “We are enormously impressed by these two intrepid seamen and very grateful for their support.
“This was a major sporting challenge, completed in great style.
“Richard House depends on events such as this to raise the £1.8 million needed to provide our vital services to life-limited children and their families.”
