Four rowers inspired by a Letchworth boy’s treatment for epilepsy to row 2,500 miles across the Pacific for charity have been forced to retire after a series of setbacks.

The Comet: Hadley Clawson, 10, with his sister Bethany.Hadley Clawson, 10, with his sister Bethany. (Image: Archant)

Ten-year-old Hadley Clawson’s dad PC Darren Clawson and his police colleague PC Arron Worbey were rowing in the Great Pacific Race from California to Hawaii to raise money for epilepsy charity Matthew’s Friends and Great Ormond Street Hospital.

The four-man Endurance Limits team, also including Matthew Knight and Raf Schildermans, was hindered after Matthew became severely ill and was unable to row. He was transferred to a race support vessel four days in.

Darren, Arron and Raf resolved to continue, but then found their rudder had broken. After four attempts to fix it failed, race directors deemed their boat unseaworthy on Thursday.

The trio tried to row back to Los Angeles, but after being anchored in stormy weather for three days were forced to arrange a tow to shore.

“This is by no means a failure,” said a spokesman for the team.

“The whole team has embarked on a journey that 99 per cent of us wouldn’t dream of. They have set out to raise awareness and funds for charity, and they have managed that and so much more.”

For more see endurancelimits.net or facebook.com/EnduranceLimits.