Rowing on the river

John Pritchard, left, Chris Gate, center, row as Paddy Broughton works as the coxswain of the Thames skiff after departing Thursday from the Red Star Access in Cape Girardeau. The skiff was made in a boat yard just outside Windsor, England. Skiffs are used for recreational, work and racing on the River Thames. Pritchard and Gate are from the United Kingdom, and Broughton is from Australia. The trio were heading to Thompson Bend on Thursday. Pritchard started the journey down the Mississippi River on Aug. 2 at Lake Itasca, Minnesota, and expects to reach New Orleans on Oct. 25. The trip is to raise $1 million dollars for Right to Play. Right to Play is a global organization that improves academic performance by using games as a tool for fostering physical, social and cognitive development and for education. Follow Pritchard's journey at www.mississippimillion.com.