The J & E Shepherd Ocean Fours Rowing Race has now started. Four boats left New York Harbour on 10th June and hope to reach Falmouth within the next 50 to 80 days covering some 3,100 nautical miles.

This is a tough feat of endurance. One boat sprung a leak and has had to pull out already and you can track the progress of the others at: http://www.oceanfoursrowingrace.com/

J & E Shepherd have combined the sponsorship of this event with the opportunity to raise money in aid of Meningitis Trust. Dinners have now been hosted in Dundee, Aberdeen and last night in Edinburgh. Over £100,000 has been raised so far and a last dinner will take place after the race has finished in Glasgow.