A team of journalists from the Cornish Guardian will be holding on to their oars for dear life next month when they take part in a charity gig race to raise money for the paper's Centenary Appeal.

Editorial staff, including Alan Barber, Anna Whitney, Jimmy Shapland, Simon Fernley and Nick Knight are gearing up for the event, which will begin at Newquay Harbour - and are hoping that Steve Redgrave might make himself available to join them!

They will be squaring up against fellow competitors from Newquay Police Station and firefighters from the town and surrounding Restormel stations on Saturday, November 2, at the race hosted by Newquay Rowing Club.

Setting off from Newquay Harbour, the teams will battle their way through the surf and race an as yet undecided distance - although the usual rowing distance is one mile.

Deputy chief reporter Alan Barber said: "We're hoping it won't be that far. There'll be blood, sweat and tears - mainly tears.

"There's been a lot of support from local police and firefighters and we suspect that they are on rowing machines as we speak - it's a daunting task taking on the Cornish Guardian."

The race will be the latest in a succession of fund-raising initiatives to raise £30,000 for a sleep monitor for the Royal Cornall Hospital at Tresliske.

In the last few months staff from the Cornish Guardian have taken part in the annual sponsored FLEET cycle ride and a local music festival.

Almost two-thirds of the money has been raised so far and it is hoped the gig race will boost the total further.

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