Oxford women plan epic 180km row
From the 23rd-26th June 2013, eight women (plus three substitutes and a cox) from Corpus Christi College Boat Club, Oxford, will row 180km from Oxford to London to raise money for the eating disorder charity ‘Beat’.
The challenge is set to include three full days of rowing – split over four days (including two half-days on the first and last days of the row) and finishing at Putney Bridge in London. They are the first all-female crew to attempt the feat in the name of charity.
Over the next two months they will be training, fundraising and raising awareness for the event, with the aim of raising up to £10,000 to support the worthwhile and necessary work that that Beat does to improve – and even save – the lives of thousands of eating disorder sufferers nationwide.
The charity is of particular significance to crewmember Esther Rich, 19, who overcame a severe eating disorder with the help of the incredible support offered by Beat. Having been hospitalised for nine months with a diagnosis of anorexia, she is now fully recovered and volunteers as a Young Ambassador for the charity.
“Rowing has helped me maintain my recovery,” said Ester, “so I think it is fitting to combine that with raising money for Beat. Eating disorders are hugely under-acknowledged and, as I know first-hand, have devastating effects – physically and mentally. We are going to put ourselves under immense pain for a cause we truly believe in, and would love to raise as much money as possible to make that worthwhile!”
They have recently launched a Just Giving page to take donations online, and have already raised more than £3,000.
“Everybody knows somebody who is affected by an eating disorder and if everyone gives something, we will go far in raising the much-needed funds to enable Beat to continue its lifesaving work,” adds Esther. “It’s about time we all said no to eating disorders.”
To find out more about the CCCBC rowers and to see how the training for their challenge is progressing, visit www.twitter.com/CCCBCforBeat.
To donate to the crew’s cause, visit www.justgiving.com/londonrow.
