My body is bearing up pretty well – record-breaking rower

His name is being entered into the record books for breaking the record for the distance completed in a 24-hour solo indoor row in the men’s 40-49 lightweight category.

The money is being split 50/50 between the Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation, and Bright Tights, which supports local people affected by gynaecological cancers.

Mr Johns said his body was bearing up surprisingly well.

‘The sores will take a few days to heal, my body actually feels pretty good, the only issue I’ve got is the tips of some of my fingers,’ he said.

‘During the latter half of the challenge some of my fingers started to seep blood because the blood pressure build-up was so extreme and the blood had to come out somewhere, and actually the ones that didn’t bleed are the ones that I’ve got an issue with because they’re now swollen and I’m definitely going to lose a few nails, but it’s not a big deal really.

‘Overall, I’m shocked at how well I feel.’

The final distance rowed was more than 302 kilometres, breaking the previous world record in that category by nearly 22,000 metres.

Mr Johns took Monday, the day after the row, off work, but was back at his job for PraxisIFM on Tuesday. He said the worst after-effect was the feeling of being jet-lagged.

‘My body clock is all over the place, I slept well on Sunday, but I haven’t slept well since.

‘But mechanically my body feels incredibly good, although normally I would be exercising at a higher tempo, so being off-tempo, even though it was for an extremely long time, is probably the reason why mechanically my body is OK.

‘I’ve been to the gym just to do some rehab and start getting my body moving properly, but I won’t do any proper training probably till at least the second week of December.’

Sammy Meerveld, from the Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation, has seen some extreme challenges in her time, but said what Mr Johns had achieved was amazing.

‘Thank you so much to Simon, the fantastic support team and the sponsors.

‘They’ll be pleased to know that these generous funds will help the PPBF provide a lifeline to families in our community.

‘Our compassionate housing next to Southampton Hospital is in use almost every day by local families of either premature babies, or seriously poorly children.

‘These funds will help us keep providing somewhere safe to stay and one less thing to worry about for local families going through immensely difficult times, to be close to their little one being treated at the hospital.

‘We’d also like to help the Guernsey Neonatal Unit with equipment they may need and provide special baby boxes full of tiny nappies, clothes & treats for baby & parents on the unit.’

Beckie Duquemin, from Bright Tights, said it was still deciding how to spend the money, but it would help the charity's work.

‘It’s been mind-blowing,’ she said.

‘The difference it will make to local ladies and their families is more than he will ever know. We don’t know how we can thank him.’

n Money can still be donated on giving.gg, https://bit.ly/3DKyK0k