OLDHAM grandad Frank Rothwell, who became the oldest person to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean unassisted earlier this year – raising more than £1.1m for charity in the process – is up for a British bravery award.

Frank set off from La Gormera in the Canary Islands on December 12 last year aged 70 and crossed the finish line on his boat "Never Too Old" in Antigua 56 days later on February 6, where he was met by his wife of 50 years, Judith.

It cost him £20,000 to enter the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, which was dwarfed by the amount of money he raised for the Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation doubled the first £500,000 Frank raised.

Frank, who only took up sailing at the age of 40, partly chose to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Research UK because his brother-in-law Roger suffered the disease and sadly passed away aged 62 while Frank was at sea.

Now 71, Frank has reached the final four of the Charity Champion category of Amplifon Awards For Brave Britons 2021.

He will now be invited to the virtual awards presentation, which will take place on Tuesday, October 5.

Frank in his boat

Frank in his boat

Frank Rothwell

Frank Rothwell

Frank, who owns Manchester Cabins in Chadderton, said: “It was partly because of Roger but also because so many families suffer the same experiences because of dementia.

Frank spent 18 months training using rowing and cycling machines as well as testing his boat in the water between Hartlepool and Scotland before setting out on his epic voyage.

He added: “On a normal day I rowed during daylight and slept when it was dark. I didn’t see an aeroplane or any ships for weeks.

“At one point there were so many dolphins around me I stopped rowing because I was pulled along in their draft.”

The Amplifon Awards will be hosted by BBC1 TV Breakfast and Radio 5 Live presenter Rachel Burden and Falklands War hero Simon Weston will be the guest of honour.