Bishop Robert will row 24 miles from Stratford-Upon-Avon to Copthorne to raise money for Holland House

Assistant bishop in the Diocese of Worcester, Bishop Robert will be one of three taking part in a rowing challenge in a boat named Maria.

Bishop Robert said: “Holland House is a beautiful old retreat house which is enjoyed by many throughout the year.

“However, its building and delightful grounds need constant upkeep and continual process of improvements is always under way.

“All this comes down to the need of financial support and our annual sponsored row is a good way to raise some money to help.”

This will be the third sponsored row that Bishop Robert has completed for the retreat house, rowing from Cropthorne to Tewkesbury in 2017 and Bewdley to Worcester last year, raising around £600 in the process from each event.

Joining him on the boat will be Robert Patterson, revd Ian Spencer, warden at Holland House and canon Richard Thornily, rector of Church Lench with Rous Lench & Abbots Morton & Harvington.

Holland House is a spiritual sanctuary and conference centre located in the village of Cropthorne, between Evesham and Pershore on the south bank of the River Avon.

It is used as a resource for the nearby Anglican dioceses, for churches of all traditions and for people of other faiths, such as Islam.

The three men in a boat will start from Stratford upon Avon at the riverside at 8:30am on Thursday August 1, and intend to reach the village of Copthorne 24 miles away by late afternoon along the River Avon.

The trio will need to navigate twelve manual locks along the river, which they will operate themselves

A party will great them to celebrate their feat, which will include live music and anyone wanting to attend or donate can contact them on hollandhouse.org.