McQuaid crew is getting set for their annual Row for Hope charity fundraiser. Beginning on Tuesday, the team will row the entire Erie Canal to benefit a local organization.

This year 11 rowers will work in shifts to row a 4-man shell more than 340 miles over the course of eight days.

"It's not an easy thing to do," said McQuaid junior Gage Gardiner. "I think for a lot of us we're helping the community and that's fun to us." 

Rowing from Buffalo to Albany, the team will average just over 40 miles a day, with scheduled stops along the route. 

"Just to get away with the guys, doing a sport we love and something we enjoy doing," said McQuaid sophomore Cooper Van Maaren. "I'm really excited for it."

The event has raised over $200,000 for various organizations over the years. This year's recipient is the House of Mercy homeless shelter.  

"We're just trying to help them raise a little bit of money for maybe an extra shelter or specifically this year, therapy for the homeless," said Gardiner.