Oldham Athletic chairman Frank Rothwell receives Prime Minister award for his record-breaking charity row

Oldham Athletic’s chairman Frank Rothwell has been a busy man in recent years. After buying the club and saving them from extinction, the 73-year-old this year completed his second row across the Atlantic. 

The effort saw him beat his own world record of the oldest person to complete the mammoth solo row. Frank set sail from the Canary Islands and reached the finish line in Antigua. Completing the challenge makes Frank the oldest person to row any ocean. 

Frank arrived at the finish line on February 15, completing the race in 64 days, 7 hours and 53 minutes. He set off from the start line back on December 13. The Oldham chairman has lost his brother-in-law and best friend to the disease. 

This race is known as the ‘World’s Toughest Row’ and through it, he raised over £1.4 million for Alzheimer’s Research UK- a charity close to his heart. His efforts have seen him gain an award from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. 

The Points of Light Award is given out to someone every week day by the Prime Minister. Frank reflected on how proud he felt upon receiving it, and how he was determined to continue supporting the work of the charity. 

He said: “I am incredibly honoured by this recognition, thank you. When I first rowed solo across the Atlantic Ocean in 2021, it was the hardest thing I had ever done. 

“But with dementia remaining such a huge and heartbreaking issue, I was determined to do anything I could to help make a difference and that’s why I decided to take on the challenge again. I am so proud of the funds and awareness I have raised for ‘Alzheimer’s Research UK’, a charity close to my heart, and the support I received shows how much a cure for dementia means to people.”