Following their participation in the 2008 Celtic Challenge, Tenby Sea Rowers have presented the Paul Sartori Foundation with a donation of £3,525. The money was raised through personal sponsorship by all of the team's rowers and support team. The Celtic Challenge, which is acknowledged in the Guinness Book of Records as one of the toughest rowing events in the world, is a 90-mile race across the Irish Sea from Arklow to Aberystwyth. Originally due to start on Saturday, May 3, the race was held over until the Sunday due to adverse wind and sea conditions. After starting the race strongly, the Tenby team retired as night fell and transfers to and from their longboat were becoming increasingly dangerous. Nick Tebbutt, captain of Tenby Sea Rowing Club, said: "As a club, we're delighted to present this money to the Paul Sartori Foundation. "Providing home hospice care in Pembrokeshire, the charity is a great cause that is close to everyone's heart in Tenby. "Whilst we were very disappointed not to finish the challenge, it is still good news to have raised so much money!" The hospice director of the Paul Sartori Foundation, Lorna Johns, was delighted to receive the team's contribution. "This is a great fund-raising effort that we really appreciate! Having met the Tenby team before the event, we were all hoping they would do well and we shared their disappointment with the result. They are already talking about taking part in the 2010 Challenge; they must be mad!" Polly Groom, one of the challenge rowers, confirmed that the Tenby team were already thinking ahead. "We can't wait for 2010 as the challenge feels very much like unfinished business. However, before looking too much ahead, we really want to thank everyone in Tenby who supported us, especially Tenby Town Council and Tenby House Hotel."
