Olympic legend Sir Matthew Pinsent, above, is urging fundraisers to do something oarsome by pulling their weight as part of a new Cancer Research UK campaign.

The Great Row is part of the charity’s three year partnership with the annual Oxford and Cambridge boat races, which will be contested on the Thames next month.

Men and women of all ages and abilities can enter the charity’s indoor rowing challenge to raise money for vital research.

Landlubbers or water babies alike can get involved as participants complete the challenge on a rowing machine at their local gym and don’t need a boat to help beat cancer sooner.

Individuals or teams can choose to complete different levels of challenge over the coming weeks, with distances ranging from 2,000 metres to a full marathon.

The charity’s Lynn Daly said: “When it comes to cancer, we’re all in the same boat. The disease does not discriminate – almost everyone will have either experienced cancer themselves or know someone who has been affected.”

Tips from Sir Matthew, a free training plan and fundraising pack are available from cruk.org/TheGreatRow.