A PENSIONER who has helped to raise more than £40,000 for a children’s hospice has completed his “last hurrah” by rowing from Stourport to Worcester.

Bob Eaton began raising money for Acorns after his son David was killed in a motorcycle accident in Evesham in 1999.

David, a Long Lartin prison officer and Stourport Rugby Club player, died when his Suzuki 600 motorbike was in collision with a car.

Mr Eaton, aged 72, said: “So far, I’ve done a 10,000-mile Land Rover trip for ‘earth’, a 15,000ft parachute jump for ‘air’, a firewalk for ‘fire’ and now the row for ‘water’ – to complete all the elements.”

The former president of Stourport Boat Club said he had not been in a sculling boat for more than 20 years.

The retired civil engineer, of Yew Tree Lane, Bewdley, set off from Stourport Boat Club at 8am yesterday and completed the 14-mile route in an impressive three hours.

He said the journey took less time than anticipated due to a high swell on the river Severn.

Mr Eaton, who hopes to raise £2,000 from his latest mission, said: “Out of all the challenges I have done, this was the one which took the most effort.

“I had to train hard for about a month for it because it is a long way – but you just have to sit there and try to keep going really.

“I don’t want to under-play it, but it is not about me. I just feel lucky that I was able to do something like this for a good cause such as Acorns.

“My wife Kath does the sensible stuff, fund-raising by organising lunches and social events, and I do spectaculars, but this will probably be my last hurrah.”

Sophie James, fund-raising manger for Acorns in the two counties, said Mr and Mrs Eaton’s charity work over the years had been “incredible”.

She said: “I think it was a big challenge for him to row all that way for Acorns. He is 72 and has set a great example for other people to follow.

“He was shattered when he arrived in Worcester but cracked open a beer to celebrate by the riverside!

“They are very humble and have both organised lots of different events and have worked really hard to get lots of people involved with their fund-raising work.

“They are an incredible couple and their work has been a fitting tribute to their son David, who they tragically lost.”

To make a donation, visit acorns.org.uk or call Mr Eaton on 01299 402503.