Residents at Chamberlain Care Home in Edinburgh are taking part in physio-led rowing sessions to support Ewan, Jamie and Lachlan Maclean, three Scottish brothers aiming to become the fastest team to row across the Pacific. The trio, who used to visit their grandmother at the home, are on day 134 of an unsupported, non-stop journey from Peru to Australia to raise £1 million for clean water projects in Madagascar. They are expected to complete the 9,000-mile crossing on Thursday.

Back at the care home, residents are taking part in rowing sessions in the lounge, and the home plans a bake sale and concert on Thursday when they hope to watch the brothers’ arrival in Cairns on a live stream. Liliana Bahna, unit manager, said: “It’s a small community here, but our hearts are very much out in the Pacific with the boys. I knew them as children when they visited their grandmother, so seeing them now – taking on one of the toughest challenges in the world – is just extraordinary. Everyone here has been inspired by their courage, and we’re proud to be cheering them on.”

Sheila Burtles, 95, who has known the brothers for many years, has been leading support at the home. A former whisky industry analyst, she has been custodian of the voyage log and marks their progress on a world map. “It’s inspiring to follow their journey, and I’m so proud to play even a small part in supporting them,” she said. The brothers’ uncle and cousin raised £2,100 by rowing 25.2 miles down the Tay, and the trio have raised more than £600,000 of their £1 million target. Jamie Maclean, speaking from the boat, described the backing as “humbling” and said the team kept the images from the care home in mind to stay motivated. Harsh weather has redirected their route from Sydney to Cairns, but they remain on track to set a new world record for the fastest unsupported Pacific crossing by rowing boat.