Isaac Lord md Andrew Weiss has raised £8,000 for the Rainy Day Trust, the industry charity, with a storming performance in the Great River Race on the Thames on September 8.
57-year-old Mr Weiss, who is a keen oarsman, recruited two colleagues from his local rowing club: Malcolm Knight (53), who is the current record holder for rowing single-handed down the Thames; and Mark Hobson (57), who holds various cross-channel rowing records.

Rowing 40-minute stints with 20-minute rest periods, and coxed by Linda Poore (wife of Rainy Day Trust president John Poore), they completed the 22-mile course in 2 hours 45 minutes and 29 seconds.

"The conditions were okay, not too hot," said Mr Weiss. "But there was a slight headwind and very 'choppy' water through the Pool of London between Lambeth Bridge and Tower Bridge, with waves up to 4 feet high. Linda was looking decidedly nervous at one point."

The fastest boat, a dragon boat with about 22 oarsmen, finished in 2 hours 11 minutes.

The Isaac Lord entry was 30th out of 280 boats on handicap, 49th out of 280 on time, 19th out of 165 with 4 oars, 11th out of 124 Thames-based boats, and 4th out of 34 skiffs.

Starting in 126th place and finishing 49th, they passed nearly 80 other crews.

Outstanding donations should be sent to Clare Holland, Rainy Day Trust, Brooke House, 4 The Lakes, Northampton NN4 7YD, marked Great River Race Appeal.