Disabled owner sets unofficial world record in marathon rowing session

A disabled racehorse owner who narrowly escaped death has set an unofficial world record of an hour 33 minutes and 26 seconds for rowing a half-marathon indoors.

Andrew Cambridge, whose horseracing club, Cambridge Racing, is represented by the Mark Walford-trained Miss Amelia in the mares’ novice hurdle at Wetherby on Saturday, suffered a near-fatal stroke nine years ago.

Yet against all the odds he has battled back and now runs the Blueberry Academy, which helps adults with learning difficulties find employment.

“My mother was advised to give permission to switch off my life support machine,” said Cambridge.

“Fortunately she didn’t, and a doctor tried something with a new antibiotic. I'm permanently physically damaged but am still here. I now employ more than 40 staff supporting people with a learning disability to find employment.”

Cambridge, speaking after undertaking his world-record challenge on Friday morning, continued: “Soon after the recovery from my stroke I was advised by a physio to join a gym to keep as fit as I could, and started doing plenty of rowing.

"The idea behind the rowing half-marathon was to inspire others and raise money for charity via a Justgiving page.

“I initially applied to Guinness about setting a world record, but they wouldn’t categorise it, so it will have to be an unofficial world record.”

Cambridge, who is based in York, added: “I’ve always loved racing, and we’ve got four horses in training with Mark.

“Our first winner was Lilly’s Legend at Kelso in May, and we’re all looking forward to seeing how Miss Amelia gets on at Wetherby.”

Donations, which will help the stroke unit at York Hospital and Brunswick Organic Nurseries in York, can be made via https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/andrews-row.

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