St Marks Great River Race Team

Eight Dads with children at St Mark's Primary School in Olde Hanwell, near Ealing, are taking part in the Great River Race to raise funds for the school.

The Great River Race is a 21-mile event along the River Thames paddling in a boat from Greenwich up to Ham (near Richmond). All (with one exception) are novice paddlers entering for the first time to raise funds for the school.

At the helm is school headmaster Brian Mellish, who is retiring at the end of 2012 after 20 years.

Mr Mellish will be steering the St Mark's Steamer, a classic Bell-Boat river craft, designed for stability and boy do the Pirates of the River Brent need it as the novice crew struggle against fatigue.

Olde Hanwell is a great little community with walks along the Grand Union Canal and the River Brent.

But watch out for the pirates!

Please give any support you can.