The first day of the fundraiser began at the £68 million Barony Campus project in Cumnock and £8.6m Letham Mains Primary School site in Haddington where Morrison Construction employees began the rowing efforts.

During the working week, rowing machines will be stationed across six project sites and the Glasgow office of Morrison Construction’s Building Central business with employees, clients and members of the supply chain encouraged to take part and donate.

Breast Cancer Care and CHAS (Children’s Hospices Across Scotland) will benefit from funds raised through the challenge after employees nominated to support the charities during 2019.

Morrison Construction Building Central managing director, Eddie Robertson, said: “Our annual fundraiser is a wonderful opportunity for us to support deserving charities like Breast Cancer Care and CHAS that do great work in the community.

“Rowing the distance of the Atlantic is a huge challenge to take on but I know our employees give their best. I look forward to finding out how many miles we were able to row and the amount we fundraise over the next five days.”

This is the second annual fundraising event the business has held, last year raising almost £5,000 through a project site cycling challenge.

CHAS corporate partnerships manager, Angharad Low, said: “We cannot thank the team at Morrison Construction enough for taking on this incredible challenge. Every penny raised will go a long way to ensuring CHAS can reach every single child with a life-shortening condition and their families right across Scotland. Thank you to everyone at Morrison Construction for keeping the joy alive for families no matter how short their time together may be.”

Breast Cancer Care and Breast Cancer Now community fundraising manager, Ali Macintyre, said: “A huge thank you to Morrison Construction for their inspiring enthusiasm and support.

“Breast cancer affects so many of us, and our goal as a charity is that by 2050 everyone who develops breast cancer will live, and be supported to live well. The generosity of our partners and supporters is crucial, helping us to fund vital breast cancer research and support for those affected by the disease.”