Latest news with #charity rowing
BreakingNews.ie
4 days ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
UK MP pledges donation to charity rowers he mistook for ‘illegal migrants'
UK Independent MP Rupert Lowe said he will make a donation to a charity rowing crew he wrongly suggested could be 'illegal migrants'. Mr Lowe, who was elected as a Reform UK MP but now sits as an Independent in Great Yarmouth, had posted a picture on social media on Thursday night showing a boat near some wind turbines off the Norfolk coast. Advertisement The Coastguard contacted the crew to confirm their identity and Mr Lowe has since promised to donate £1,000 to their charity. Dinghies coming into Great Yarmouth, RIGHT NOW. Authorities alerted, and I am urgently chasing. If these are illegal migrants, I will be using every tool at my disposal to ensure these individuals are deported. Enough is enough. Britain needs mass deportations. NOW. — Rupert Lowe MP (@RupertLowe10) August 7, 2025 The MP posted on social media on Friday morning: 'Good news. False alarm! The unknown vessel was charity rowers, thank goodness. 'As a well done to the crew, I'll donate £1,000 to their charity – raising money for MND. 'Keep going, and watch out for any real illegal migrants! Advertisement 'We received a huge number of urgent complaints from constituents – I make no apologies over being vigilant for my constituents. It is a national crisis. 'No mass deportations for the charity rowers, but we definitely need it for the illegal migrants!' From left, Liz Wardley, Mike Bates, Aaron Kneebone and Matthew Parker, before they left Cornwall for Scotland on their charity voyage (Mike Newman/ROW4MND) Mr Lowe had originally posted on social media on Thursday night: 'Dinghies coming into Great Yarmouth, RIGHT NOW. 'Authorities alerted, and I am urgently chasing. If these are illegal migrants, I will be using every tool at my disposal to ensure these individuals are deported.' Advertisement But the vessel pictured was in fact an ocean rowing boat crewed by ROW4MND, a team of four who are attempting to row from Land's End to John O'Groats to raise money for motor neurone disease (MND). The crew – Matthew Parker, Mike Bates, Aaron Kneebone and Liz Wardley – said they had been contacted by the Coastguard and asked if they could see a dinghy nearby. Mr Bates, a former Royal Marine and British record holder for rowing across the Atlantic solo, told the PA news agency it soon became clear the Coastguard was asking about his own boat. 'I looked to my right and there was maybe a dozen individuals stood on the shoreline staring at us,' he said. Advertisement Good news. False alarm! The unknown vessel was charity rowers, thank goodness. As a well done to the crew, I'll donate £1,000 to their charity - raising money for MND. Keep going, and watch out for any real illegal migrants! We received a huge number of urgent complaints from… — Rupert Lowe MP (@RupertLowe10) August 8, 2025 After satisfying the Coastguard that their boat was not carrying migrants, they continued, but several hours later were contacted again by the Coastguard because the police had 'asked if they could send a lifeboat out to check who we were'. Eventually, a friend forwarded Mr Lowe's post, which Mr Bates said provided 'a moment of light relief'. He said: 'We found it hilarious. I've not been mistaken for a migrant before. 'The best comment was the one asking where the Royal Navy were when you need them. I'm a former Royal Marine, so the Royal Navy were on the boat.' Advertisement The quartet set off from Land's End on July 25 (ROW4MND/PA) He added: 'But it was almost like a vigilante-style, people following us down the beach. 'They hadn't twigged that we were parallel to the shore for hours and not trying to land.' The quartet set off from Land's End on July 25 and initially headed north into the Irish Sea before bad weather forced them to stop at Milford Haven in Wales. They then decided to return to Land's End and start again, this time heading in the other direction, which Mr Bates said had been 'about us showing resolve and resilience and hope'. The journey is the first of four challenges over four years, with the group aiming to row from John O'Groats to Land's End next year, from California to Hawaii in 2027 and New York to London in 2028, with a target of raising £57 million for MND research. So far, they have raised £107,515 for the charity. Mr Bates said: 'We're rowing for hope, we're rowing to find a cure, and hopefully we'll raise £57 million – we certainly will if MPs keep talking about us. Maybe Rupert will give us a donation.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ex-Reform MP Tried To Sound Alarm Over A Migrant Dinghy – But Got The Wrong End Of The Stick Entirely
Former Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe may have been feeling a little embarrassed last night after he admitted he had mistaken a charity rowing crew for 'illegal migrants'. In a furious post on X the MP for Great Yarmouth wrote: 'Dinghies coming into Great Yarmouth, RIGHT NOW. Authorities alerted, and I am urgently chasing. 'If these are illegal migrants, I will be using every tool at my disposal to ensure these individuals are deported. Enough is enough. Britain needs mass deportations. NOW.' He attached a fuzzy photo showing a small boat in the distance near wind turbines off the Norfolk coast, and soon more than 770,000 views and 22,000 likes. But, 10 hours later, Lowe hastily backtracked, confirming on social media that it was actually a rowing boat trying to raise money for MND (Motor Neurone Disease). He wrote: 'Good news. False alarm! The unknown vessel was charity rowers, thank goodness. 'As a well done to the crew, I'll donate £1,000 to their charity – raising money for MND. Keep going, and watch out for any real illegal migrants! 'We received a huge number of urgent complaints from constituents - I make no apologies over being vigilant for my constituents. It is a national crisis. 'No mass deportations for the charity rowers, but we definitely need it for the illegal migrants!' Note he avoided apologising, even after the rowers – a team of four known as ROW4MND – were repeatedly approached by authorities. The group are trying to travel from Land's End to John O'Groats and were contacted by the Coastguard twice over fears they were harbouring migrants. A spokesperson for ROW4MND said the crew faced 'big waves, high winds, route changes and Storm Floris' over the last fortnight 'but being shopped as illegal immigrants by a sitting Member of Parliament really takes the biscuit.' 'ROW4MND is a project that will raise £57m to fight this awful illness over the next four years,' they continued. 'The crew's mission is to raise awareness of the disease, which will affect one in every 300 people over a lifetime, as well as raising funds to find a cure. 'It is said that all publicity is good publicity, but in this instance, the crew would like to be allowed to get on with their epic challenge, rather than having to respond to posts on Instagram. 'That said, the crew would like to personally thank Rupert Lowe MP for increasing the profile of the ROW4MND project immeasurably.' Naturally, the internet was utterly delighted by Lowe's mistake... Rupert Lowe spots two more potential illegal migrants. — Inevitable Gassy (@OldGassy1984) August 8, 2025 Rupert Lowe calls for deportation of charity rowers. What a paranoid dickhead. — Parody Keir Starmer (@Parody_PM) August 8, 2025 Rupert Lowe when he sees a boat in his seaside constituency — ⁴⁴ ³¹ ⁶³ palou stan 🚂 (@oconagenda) August 8, 2025 Related... Starmer's Migrant Returns Deal With France Is Already Being Picked Apart Minister Accuses Top Tory Of Hypocrisy Over Migrant Deal Criticism In Scathing Takedown Trump Cloaks Incredibly Racist Claim About Migrant Farm Workers As Praise
Irish Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
British MP admits mistaking charity rowing crew for ‘illegal migrants'
A British MP has admitted mistaking a charity rowing crew for 'illegal migrants '. Rupert Lowe, who was elected as a Reform UK MP but now sits as an Independent in Great Yarmouth, had posted a picture on social media on Thursday night showing a boat near some wind turbines off the Norfolk coast. The local coastguard contacted the crew to confirm their identity and Mr Lowe has since promised to donate £1,000 (€1,150) to their charity after admitting his mistake. The MP posted on social media on Friday morning: 'Good news. False alarm! The unknown vessel was charity rowers, thank goodness. READ MORE 'As a well done to the crew, I'll donate £1,000 to their charity – raising money for MND. 'Keep going, and watch out for any real illegal migrants! 'We received a huge number of urgent complaints from constituents – I make no apologies over being vigilant for my constituents. It is a national crisis. 'No mass deportations for the charity rowers, but we definitely need it for the illegal migrants!' Mr Lowe had originally posted on social media on Thursday night: 'Dinghies coming into Great Yarmouth, RIGHT NOW. 'Authorities alerted, and I am urgently chasing. If these are illegal migrants, I will be using every tool at my disposal to ensure these individuals are deported.' But the vessel pictured was in fact an ocean rowing boat crewed by ROW4MND, a team of four who are attempting to row from Land's End to John O'Groats to raise money for motor neurone disease (MND). The crew – Matthew Parker, Mike Bates, Aaron Kneebone and Liz Wardley – said they had been contacted by the coastguard and asked if they could see a dinghy nearby. Mr Bates, a former Royal Marine and British record holder for rowing across the Atlantic solo, told the PA news agency it soon became clear the coastguard was asking about his own boat. 'I looked to my right and there was maybe a dozen individuals stood on the shoreline staring at us,' he said. After satisfying the coastguard that their boat was not carrying migrants, they continued, but several hours later were contacted again by the coastguard because the police had 'asked if they could send a lifeboat out to check who we were'. Eventually, a friend forwarded Mr Lowe's post, which Mr Bates said provided 'a moment of light relief'. He said: 'We found it hilarious. I've not been mistaken for a migrant before. 'The best comment was the one asking where the Royal Navy were when you need them. I'm a former Royal Marine, so the Royal Navy were on the boat.' He added: 'But it was almost like a vigilante-style, people following us down the beach. 'They hadn't twigged that we were parallel to the shore for hours and not trying to land.' The quartet set off from Land's End on July 25th and initially headed north into the Irish Sea before bad weather forced them to stop at Milford Haven in Wales. They then decided to return to Land's End and start again, this time heading in the other direction, which Mr Bates said had been 'about us showing resolve and resilience and hope'. The journey is the first of four challenges over four years, with the group aiming to row from John O'Groats to Land's End next year, from California to Hawaii in 2027 and New York to London in 2028, with a target of raising £57 million for MND research. So far, they have raised £107,515 for the charity. Mr Bates said: 'We're rowing for hope, we're rowing to find a cure, and hopefully we'll raise £57 million – we certainly will if MPs keep talking about us. Maybe Rupert will give us a donation.' – PA
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
MP Rupert Lowe admits mistaking charity rowing crew for ‘illegal migrants'
Independent MP Rupert Lowe has admitted mistaking a charity rowing crew for 'illegal migrants'. Mr Lowe, who was elected as a Reform UK MP but now sits as an Independent in Great Yarmouth, had posted a picture on social media on Thursday night showing a boat near some wind turbines off the Norfolk coast. The Coastguard contacted the crew to confirm their identity and Mr Lowe has since promised to donate £1,000 to their charity after admitting his mistake. The MP posted on social media on Friday morning: 'Good news. False alarm! The unknown vessel was charity rowers, thank goodness. 'As a well done to the crew, I'll donate £1,000 to their charity – raising money for MND. 'Keep going, and watch out for any real illegal migrants! 'We received a huge number of urgent complaints from constituents – I make no apologies over being vigilant for my constituents. It is a national crisis. 'No mass deportations for the charity rowers, but we definitely need it for the illegal migrants!' Mr Lowe had originally posted on social media on Thursday night: 'Dinghies coming into Great Yarmouth, RIGHT NOW. 'Authorities alerted, and I am urgently chasing. If these are illegal migrants, I will be using every tool at my disposal to ensure these individuals are deported.' But the vessel pictured was in fact an ocean rowing boat crewed by ROW4MND, a team of four who are attempting to row from Land's End to John O'Groats to raise money for motor neurone disease (MND). The crew – Matthew Parker, Mike Bates, Aaron Kneebone and Liz Wardley – said they had been contacted by the Coastguard and asked if they could see a dinghy nearby. Mr Bates, a former Royal Marine and British record holder for rowing across the Atlantic solo, told the PA news agency it soon became clear the Coastguard was asking about his own boat. 'I looked to my right and there was maybe a dozen individuals stood on the shoreline staring at us,' he said. After satisfying the Coastguard that their boat was not carrying migrants, they continued, but several hours later were contacted again by the Coastguard because the police had 'asked if they could send a lifeboat out to check who we were'. Eventually, a friend forwarded Mr Lowe's post, which Mr Bates said provided 'a moment of light relief'. He said: 'We found it hilarious. I've not been mistaken for a migrant before. 'The best comment was the one asking where the Royal Navy were when you need them. I'm a former Royal Marine, so the Royal Navy were on the boat.' He added: 'But it was almost like a vigilante-style, people following us down the beach. 'They hadn't twigged that we were parallel to the shore for hours and not trying to land.' The quartet set off from Land's End on July 25 and initially headed north into the Irish Sea before bad weather forced them to stop at Milford Haven in Wales. They then decided to return to Land's End and start again, this time heading in the other direction, which Mr Bates said had been 'about us showing resolve and resilience and hope'. The journey is the first of four challenges over four years, with the group aiming to row from John O'Groats to Land's End next year, from California to Hawaii in 2027 and New York to London in 2028, with a target of raising £57 million for MND research. So far, they have raised £107,515 for the charity. Mr Bates said: 'We're rowing for hope, we're rowing to find a cure, and hopefully we'll raise £57 million – we certainly will if MPs keep talking about us. Maybe Rupert will give us a donation.'
The Independent
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
MP Rupert Lowe admits mistaking charity rowing crew for ‘illegal migrants'
Independent MP Rupert Lowe has admitted mistaking a charity rowing crew for 'illegal migrants'. Mr Lowe, who was elected as a Reform UK MP but now sits as an Independent in Great Yarmouth, had posted a picture on social media on Thursday night showing a boat near some wind turbines off the Norfolk coast. The Coastguard contacted the crew to confirm their identity and Mr Lowe has since promised to donate £1,000 to their charity after admitting his mistake. The MP posted on social media on Friday morning: 'Good news. False alarm! The unknown vessel was charity rowers, thank goodness. 'As a well done to the crew, I'll donate £1,000 to their charity – raising money for MND. 'Keep going, and watch out for any real illegal migrants! 'We received a huge number of urgent complaints from constituents – I make no apologies over being vigilant for my constituents. It is a national crisis. 'No mass deportations for the charity rowers, but we definitely need it for the illegal migrants!' Mr Lowe had originally posted on social media on Thursday night: 'Dinghies coming into Great Yarmouth, RIGHT NOW. 'Authorities alerted, and I am urgently chasing. If these are illegal migrants, I will be using every tool at my disposal to ensure these individuals are deported.' But the vessel pictured was in fact an ocean rowing boat crewed by ROW4MND, a team of four who are attempting to row from Land's End to John O'Groats to raise money for motor neurone disease (MND). The crew – Matthew Parker, Mike Bates, Aaron Kneebone and Liz Wardley – said they had been contacted by the Coastguard and asked if they could see a dinghy nearby. Mr Bates, a former Royal Marine and British record holder for rowing across the Atlantic solo, told the PA news agency it soon became clear the Coastguard was asking about his own boat. 'I looked to my right and there was maybe a dozen individuals stood on the shoreline staring at us,' he said. After satisfying the Coastguard that their boat was not carrying migrants, they continued, but several hours later were contacted again by the Coastguard because the police had 'asked if they could send a lifeboat out to check who we were'. Eventually, a friend forwarded Mr Lowe's post, which Mr Bates said provided 'a moment of light relief'. He said: 'We found it hilarious. I've not been mistaken for a migrant before. 'The best comment was the one asking where the Royal Navy were when you need them. I'm a former Royal Marine, so the Royal Navy were on the boat.' He added: 'But it was almost like a vigilante-style, people following us down the beach. 'They hadn't twigged that we were parallel to the shore for hours and not trying to land.' The quartet set off from Land's End on July 25 and initially headed north into the Irish Sea before bad weather forced them to stop at Milford Haven in Wales. They then decided to return to Land's End and start again, this time heading in the other direction, which Mr Bates said had been 'about us showing resolve and resilience and hope'. The journey is the first of four challenges over four years, with the group aiming to row from John O'Groats to Land's End next year, from California to Hawaii in 2027 and New York to London in 2028, with a target of raising £57 million for MND research. So far, they have raised £107,515 for the charity. Mr Bates said: 'We're rowing for hope, we're rowing to find a cure, and hopefully we'll raise £57 million – we certainly will if MPs keep talking about us. Maybe Rupert will give us a donation.'
