University Boat Club’s 48-hour charity row smashes fundraiser target

Members of the University of Warwick Boat Club (UWBC) have raised over £2,400 for charity following the Club’s annual 48-hour row.

Over 100 athletes from the Club’s four squads participated in the marathon event, taking turns on a rowing machine stationed in the Piazza from Monday 21 October at noon to midday on the Wednesday. As such, many participants underwent their shifts in the early hours of the morning, committed to play their part whenever called upon.

In an exclusive statement for The Boar, the Club commented that: “All four squads gave an immense effort which made the event run so smoothly and successfully.”

The Club was enthusiastic about the team spirit cultivated by this demanding test of endurance. It stated that the event was “also a success in the fact that it brought our club together, uniting our new cohort of novices in the challenge to support each other through the nights and integrating squads together again after the summer break for a fulfilling cause.”

The fundraiser has been running for a number of years and is one of the society’s most successful charity events year on year. Regarding its wider fundraising pursuits, the Club is proud of its commitment to charitable causes, noting that its social secretaries strive to “raise a minimum of £500 for charity per term”.

Joining a sports club at University will always be one of the best choices that a person makes

University of Warwick Boat Club

UWBC has expressed its excitement at the prospect of continuing its fundraising efforts this academic year.

Looking ahead to the coming month, the Club has confirmed its intention to set up a GoFundMe page for Movember, the month centred around male mental health awareness. Writing to The Boar, UWBC stated that it will “set the challenge throughout our male squads to not shave for the entirety of the month as we fundraise for the cause”.

The Boar was eager to know UWBC’s thoughts on the benefits of sport for mental health, particularly as we enter the Movember period. In response, the Club stated emphatically that: “Joining a sports club at University will always be one of the best choices that a person makes.

“Not only does it help to establish a routine and stability into life at University”, the Club continued, but it also “keeps you fit, healthy and social with your teammates.”

Noting the communal aspect of rowing in particular (when on the water), UWBC praised the sense of shared purpose which it gives its athletes: “Rowing not only creates boats, but profound friendships within those crews.”

We wanted to remind everyone […] that you are not alone and it’s ok to seek help. There is always someone to talk to, willing to listen and help you

University of Warwick Boat Club

At time of writing, an impressive £2,417 has been raised, more than doubling the original fundraiser target. The Club has described this result as an “unbelievable achievement”. The proceeds will go towards supporting PAPYRUS, an organisation dedicated to preventing young suicide.

The Club told The Boar that this incentive “has been brought close to the Club’s hearts in the last few years as we sadly lost one of our alumni members to the ongoing fight against mental health”.

Warwick Sport, UWBC assures, can be a beacon of hope to students undergoing such struggles, with events such as its recent 48-hour row helping to spread awareness of hidden mental health battles amongst students.

“We wanted to remind everyone under the Warwick Sport canopy that you are not alone and it’s ok to seek help. There is always someone to talk to, willing to listen and help you.”