LOCAL hero Dave the Rower has done it again – smashing more records to raise cash for the fight against cancer.

Dave Holby-Wolinski, who broke the world record for rowing round the world on a static machine in 2010, held his latest challenge at the Madejski Stadium, in Reading.

The 33-year-old was one of around 80 people from businesses in Reading and Basingstoke, as well as Reading East MP Rob Wilson, to take part in five different endurance rowing attempts.

Two new records were set, one for a small team row of 100km, and a 24 hour team row, with those joining in taking shifts on a rowing machines over a period of more than 24 hours.

The event raised £5,000 for Cancer Research UK, but it is hoped that the final total will reach £10,000 once all the sponsorship has been collected.

Father-of-one Dave, of Longbridge Road, Bramley, organised the event with the help of his work colleagues at Reading-based recruitment firm Tobias Wells.

He said: “We are all quite sporty here and rowing is something that I really enjoy. I wanted to put on an event and raise money for a wonderful cause, and engage with businesses locally.

“The rowing was really good fun and we had some amazing companies taking part from the Basingstoke and Thames Valley region.”

Amongst the Basingstoke companies taking part was technology supply firm Sematron, which is based in Wade Road, Daneshill.

Dave has now taken part in 15 rowing world record attempts, and has raised thousands of pounds for The Pink Place – the Basingstoke-based charity which supports women going through cancer treatment.