Hero Frank 'incredibly honoured' after receiving Point of Light award from the Prime Minister

Latics' heroic chairman/co-owner Frank Rothwell. Image courtesy of Oldham Athletic / World's Toughest Row

Latics' chairman and co-owner Frank Rothwell has been given a highly prestigious UK Point of Light award for raising nearly £1.5 million for Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Frank, the oldest person to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean for charity, has been given the award by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Frank, who is 73, completed his second solo Canary Islands to Antigua row last month.

The award is for his "outstanding" fundraising after raising more than £1.4m for Alzheimer's Research UK.

Frank, who bought Latics in July 2022, said the charity he was raising money for was close to his heart after his brother-in-law died with Alzheimer's aged 62, as well as his best friend.

“I am incredibly honoured by this recognition,” said Frank.

“When I first rowed solo across the Atlantic Ocean in 2021, it was the hardest thing I had ever done.

“But with dementia remaining such a huge and heartbreaking issue, I was determined to do anything I could to help make a difference and that’s why I decided to take on the challenge again.”

The Point of Light award programme was started in 1990 by US President George H W Bush, before a United Kingdom version was established in 2014.

An award is given out by the prime minister each day, recognising people who are outstanding individual volunteers and are making a change in their community.

You can still donate to Frank’s fundraising for Alzheimer’s Research UK, just visit the JustGiving page here

Fellow Oldham-based interpid fundraiser Steve Hill also received a prestigious Points of Light Award from Rishi Sunak last month.

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