Widower to do rowing challenge in memory of wife

Malcolm Knight is the Guinness World Record holder for the fastest time to row the River Thames by single scull

A world record holder from Surrey who lost his wife to leukaemia is taking on a fundraising rowing challenge in her memory.

On Saturday Malcolm Knight, 70, hopes to complete seven rows of 7km (4.34 miles) at Dittons Skiff and Punting Club on the River Thames to raise money for leukaemia research.

Mr Knight, who is from West Moseley, is inviting others to join him in any physical fundraising activity that is a multiple of seven, such as swimming for 70 minutes, to celebrate what would have been his wife Ruth's 70th birthday on Tuesday.

He said: "We must do all we can to find an effective treatment."

Mr Knight is inviting others to join him in fundraising for Leukaemia research

Mr Knight is the Guinness World Record holder for the fastest time to row the River Thames from Lechlade in Gloucestershire to Gravesend in Kent in a single scull.

He was widowed last December, weeks after his wife was diagnosed with a particularly aggressive form of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).

Mr Knight said: “We have both taken on so many physical challenges over the years and we just saw this as another one to beat. But, from that point to then losing her just seven weeks later, shocked everyone.

“Now it’s time for me to take on a challenge alone."

Leukaemia UK's head of public fundraising Sarah Weber said: “We’re so grateful to Malcolm for taking on this incredible challenge to help raise funds for Leukaemia UK.

"Losing his beloved wife Ruth to this awful disease is heartbreaking and we’re inspired by how he’s channelling his grief into supporting our work."