AN INTREPID rower has passed the 800,000 metres mark in her challenge of rowing a million metres for charity.

Mum-of-two Jo Moseley, 49, who works in Ilkley, hopes to raise as much as £6,000 with her epic exercise stint on an indoor rowing machine.

She took on the challenge in recognition of the help Macmillan Cancer Support gave to her parents.

Her mum was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2012 and passed away last year and her dad has successfully fought breast, bowel and skin cancer.

Jo kicked off the challenge on May 5, her parents’ wedding anniversary, and currently spends up to six hours each week on a rowing machine at Skipton’s Craven Fitness Centre.

She hopes to finish on December 21, which will be the first anniversary of her mum’s death, when she will row a 42,195 metre marathon at Ilkley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club. Jo said: “Macmillan have been a fantastic support to my whole family over the last few years so I was really keen to give something back and show our appreciation for all their help. I only started rowing recently when a friend lent me a rowing machine but I really enjoy it, feel healthier and always sleep well afterwards so it made sense to do a rowing challenge.”

The challenge will put her among a unique group of rowers – only six women in the UK, aged between 40 and 49, have recorded marathon rows with Concept2’s global rowing leader board, last year and just 42 worldwide.

So far this year, no-one in Jo’s age category has recorded rowing a marathon in the UK.

She recently secured sponsorship from Ilkley-based estate agency Dacre, Son and Hartley.

Head of residential sales at Dacre, Son & Hartley, Patrick McCutcheon, says: “This challenge is both extremely tough and hugely inspiring. To commit to a fundraising challenge that will take more than seven months to complete is no mean feat, so as a successful local business We’re delighted to lend our support to Jo and help her reach her target for such a fantastic cause.”

To make a donation visit justgiving.com/OneHappy Rower and to keep up with Jo’s progress on Twitter follow @OneHappyRower.