Rowers from Lady Eleanor Holles (LEH) and Hampton School pull together to raise over £80,000 for Shooting Star Children’s Hospices.

Pupils and parents from both West London’s schools completed a remarkable 80-mile sponsored row on the River Thames over 24 hours to raise funds for the local charity.

Ten boats tackled 80 miles and 28 locks as the rowers travelled from Radley College Boat Club, Oxfordshire to Hampton. The oarsmen and women aged from 15 to over 50, overcame blistered hands, aching muscles and every weather condition to complete the row. They were ably supported by an army of parent volunteers manning locks, providing much needed sustenance and offering full-voiced vocal encouragement along the way.

The rowers' spirits were boosted as news of generous donations flooded in, and to date the sponsored row has raised in excess of £80.000 (including gift aid) – a figure which is likely to continue to increase. Hampton School’s Director of Rowing, Colin Greenaway and Acting Head of Rowing at LEH, John Moon, praised all on their achievement: 

The Hampton and LEH Boat Clubs achieved a remarkable feat with Fifth and Sixth Formers, and parents rowing over 24 hours across two days to cover 80 miles of the River Thames. None of this could have happened without the sterling efforts of colleagues and parents who worked tirelessly in the background to support our incredible oarsmen and women. It was a truly inspiring community effort and we are all delighted to have raised so much money for our local charity, Shooting Star Children’s Hospices.  

Executive Vice President of Shooting Star Children’s Hospices,  Karen Sugarman, thanked everyone for their herculean efforts: 

“The magnificent rowing challenge that Hampton School and LEH School Boat Clubs completed was nothing short of fantastic.  Huge congratulations go to every single person involved and all the volunteers that helped along the way to make it possible. This incredible amount raised will help us to continue giving a vital lifeline to support families across Surrey and west London facing the unimaginable.”

Donations are still welcome - click here to donate.

 

A huge thank you...

On the weekend of 16th and 17th of September 10 boats from LEH, Hampton and some of the HHBCA parents came together to row from Radley to Hampton, covering 80 miles and 28 locks, in an effort to raise money for Shooting Stars Children’s Hospices. The LEH J16 and Senior squads came together incredibly, boosting each other's morale and energy through the 5am starts, brutal downpours, and blister-covered hands, all in support of an amazing cause. 

A huge thank you to our coaches who volunteered their time to make this event possible, encouraging us through every mile, and withstanding our taste in music for almost 130km! We would also like to extend our thanks to the parents who volunteered their time to help. Not only did we have a team of parents who joined in with the row, but also a team of parents operating each of the 28 locks, ready with endless supplies of water and much needed jelly babies. The HHBCA and all the athletes should be so proud of everything that was accomplished and the huge impact they have made.

We're pleased to say that Hampton and LEH boat clubs have raised £80,000 for the Shooting Stars Hospice.

Evie and Maddie (U6)