More than 500 students, staff and parents at Ampleforth College, near Helmsley, will be taking part in a rowathon to raise money for orphaned, abandoned or vulnerable children across the world.

They will join members of the public to cover thousands of miles from tomorrow until Sunday in a bid to raise £25,000 for international charity Hope And Homes For Children.

The event will take place at the St Alban’s Sports Centre at the college and will see rowers covering a distance of 4,150km as they static row the equivalent distance from Ampleforth to the charity’s projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania and Moldova, before finishing in Ukraine.

Father Gabriel Everitt, the headmaster of Ampleforth College, said: “In my experience, whenever asked, staff, students, parents and members of the monastic and local community have always responded enthusiastically to requests to help others.

“This rowathon challenge is no exception; more than 500 individuals have rallied in support of the international charity Hope and Homes for Children.

To take part in the event and support Hope and Hopes for Children, phone Claire Evans on 01439 766777 or email cee@ampleforth.org.uk

For more information about the work of Hope And Homes For Children, visit hopeandhomes.org