Rowers at Torpoint Mosquito Sailing Club (TMSC) are working towards their dream of owning a full-sized pilot gig.

TMSC’s rowing section was launched just over a year ago, following the donation of two half-sized gigs, or giglets.

One of these is the Spirit of Sam Bassett, a craft named after a Torpoint rifleman who was killed while serving in Afghanistan.

With a ‘great crowd of enthusiastic people’ keen to row, one key focus for the new section has been fundraising for a pilot gig, says club spokesperson Brigitte Mann.

Raffles and quizzes have been held and a 20-mile sponsored row on the Tamar has brought in more than £500 towards this goal, said rower Lisa Hocking.