CHEMICAL company employees rowed the equivalent of the length of the River Mersey to support St Luke’s Hospice.

The team from Tata Chemicals Europe and British Salt raised more than £600 for the hospice with a rowathon in Northwich town centre.

The rowing machines were donated by PureGym Northwich, and most of the volunteer rowers were from Tata Chemicals Europe and British Salt.

St Luke’s Hospice employees also took turns in the rowing seats.

With two people at a time rowing in 15 minute slots, the target was the 112-kilometre length of the River Mersey.

The rowers beat the target with a couple of hours to spare, and ended up rowing about 200 kilometres, equivalent to the distance between Northwich and Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Tata Chemicals Europe communications manager Richard Redman said: “I was thrilled to see how many people turn up in the bitter cold to help us raise money for St Luke’s Hospice.

“We had fun, got some exercise, and help a fantastic local cause.

“There was a real party atmosphere as we had Christmas music playing, and the guys from Pure Gym came down with their very own elf stilt performer.

“The tombola was also a great success - quite a few people walked away having won some useful last-minute stocking fillers, and of course, it's always great to beat our target.”

Corporate partnerships manager Steven Cook said: “The Rowathon was a great success and our continued partnership with Tata is an asset to the hospice.”

The total raised from donations and the tombola was £620, and Tata Chemicals Europe is set to raise more money for the hospice before Christmas, with an auction expected to raise a further three-figure sum.