Port St Mary resident Jack Emmerson raised more than £2,000 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association by completing a marathon row.

The fundraiser took place in Port St Mary on Saturday.

It consisted of various games and activities, as well as a 26.2 mile row as the main event, completed by Jack in three hours and 17 minutes.

Jack, 26, was inspired to raise the money after his aunt Elaine, who was a ’passionate fundraiser for the charity herself’ died earlier this year from the disease.

She had lost her husband to the same disease in 1990.

’The average person has a one in 50,000 chance of being diagnosed, and it seems inconsolable that it affected Elaine so significantly twice’, said Jack.

Jack said it was one of his friends, Rob Quirk, who turned the solo challenge into a communal gathering by adding features such as fitness games and a barbecue, extending its popularity and success.

Jack said he felt it ’absolutely right that everyone is celebrating strength and movement by getting a sweat on in the sun in aid of the charity’.

The final total raised was twice the amount Jack had initially set out to raise, totalling £2,052.

Motor neurone disease is a life-shortening and progressive illness that affect the nerves in the train and brain and spinal cord. It eventually destroys connections between the nervous system and the body.

Jack thanked members at The Vault gym, and in particular Rob and Cat Quirk for hosting the event.