MEMBERS of Tameside Rotary cannot be accused of not pulling their weight – they did that and an extra 21 tonnes.
For they, along with other volunteers, managed to haul a 72-foot canal boat from Fairfield Junction in Droylsden to Portland Basin in Ashton.
Elbow grease was applied and muscles tensed to take Still Waters on a two-and-a-half mile journey.
And it was all for a good cause, The Lemonade Project run by Ashton-based charity, The Anthony Seddon Trust.
No crew members were made to walk the gangplank when the boat came to a temporary halt just shortly after setting off and following a determined team effort and a lot of pulling and tugging, the journey continued without any further glitches.
Onboard Still Waters were 20 Tameside young carers who enjoyed the spectacle of both the ‘pull’ and the scenery on this historic section of canal.
On arrival at Portland Basin, each young person received a picnic bag donated by the Bridge View Café.
Tameside Rotary’s new President, Mohammed Shamsul Karim, part of the team pulling the boat at the event – organised in conjunction with the Tameside Canal Boat Trust and sponsored by local businesses – said: “We’re thrilled that we have risen to the challenge of the canal boat pull.
“It’s been hard work but a lot of fun. It’s good to see the young people on-board have enjoyed it also. We are very grateful to our sponsors who have helped make this charity event possible.”