YOUNG rowers from Helensburgh will be part of an attempt to row the entire length of Loch Lomond on Saturday.

Members of Loch Lomond Rowing Club will tackle the 26 miles distance on September 23 in order to raise as much money as they can to repair the roof of their clubhouse.

Five members from around Helensburgh are taking part in the fundraising challenge.

Sophie Morris, 18, started rowing with the club just over a year ago when she moved to Helensburgh from Chester.

She said: “I have enjoyed rowing with LLRC, especially competing in the various competitions including the Scottish Championships this year.

“We have all worked really hard fundraising for this and any last minute donations will be greatly appreciated.”

Alex MacKinnon and Mark Sullivan, both 16, are expecting the challenge to be tough.

Mark said: “I joined LLRC two years ago and have found training has really improved both my physical and mental strength.

“Row the Loch will be a challenge but it’s for a good cause, so it’ll be worth it.”

Jess McQueen and Amy Morris, both 15, are looking forward to the challenge.

Amy said: “I am really looking forward to row the loch because despite the inevitable physical and mental challenges. I have worked really hard to fundraise and are hoping we will achieve the final amount needed to fix our club.”

Coach Heather McKenzie said: “We are the second oldest rowing club in the UK and recently our clubhouse has deteriorated and the roof has begun leaking. We have been doing several fundraisers but our next challenge is our biggest yet.

“On September 23 we will be rowing from Ardlui to Balloch with the hopes of raising enough sponsorship to fix our club and continue training for regattas next year.”

The club have been quoted £40,000 to repair the roof using a rubber coating, but are still on the hunt for a local tradesperson to provide a quote for a solution to the leaking roof.

Heather said: “The clubhouse is the main meeting point for all our members – we store the boats we use for rowing there, train there during windy weather and it is the hub for everything rowing-related in Balloch.”

Participants have already been rowing longer distances in preparation for the challenge both on the water and using the indoor rowing machines.

Joining the members from Helensburgh are Eilidh McGowan, Alex Clark, Martin Claxton, Rory Sullivan, Munro Dunlop, Heather McKenzie, Fiona Davidson, Laura McKenzie, Louise Bissett, Evie Gage, Wendy Denton, Innes Dunlop, Freya Buchanan, Martha Coombes, Lucy Steel, Kim Denton, Lily Young, Lachlan MacKinnon and Euan McKenzie.

The club have set themselves an overall fundraising target of £20,000 and has set up a JustGiving page to make it easier for people to donate - https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/lochlomond-rowingclub/newrooffundraising