A KINGSWINFORD grandfather has completed an epic rowing challenge to help raise cash for causes close to his heart.

Roger Bell has spent the last few months whiling hours away on a rowing machine at the Action Heart gym at Russells Hall Hospital - where he has managed to clock up a distance of one million metres - to help pull in the pounds for Dudley's Action Heart charity and the Georgina Unit at Russells Hall Hospital.

The 74-year-old retired construction industry manager decided to take on the challenge to help himself get fit - and to ease the heartache of losing his daughter to breast cancer a few years ago.

Kicking off the challenge in January when he weighed in at 25 stone, he has since shed five-and-a-half stone through clocking up regular sessions on the rowing machine - some of which have lasted for five-and-a-half hours.

But he said it's been strangely therapeutic. He told the News: "Most people couldn't think of sitting on a rowing machine for five-and-a-half hours but I find it's a form of meditation. It's my way of relaxing and it's my way of repaying the people at Russells Hall for what they've done for us."

He said the Georgina Unit cared for his daughter Kerry when she fell ill and he credits Action Heart with helping him to lose weight.

The Dudley heart charity's director Russell Tipson said: "Since being referred by his GP, Roger has been a regular attender to Action Heart. We very much appreciate the support he is showing to the charity."

Roger said he took inspiration from the marathon-running antics of his son Graham and surprisingly the gruelling fundraising feat proved easier than he thought - so much so he said: "It's been suggested I try and carry on for another million."

He's hoping to have raised around £600 from the challenge but is still collecting in the cash if anyone would still like to make a donation.