University of Northampton rowers to row an oar-fully long way for homeless charity

Oarswomen and men from the University of Northampton will be breaking through the pain barrier in support of the town’s homeless.

Members of the University’s rowing club will be holding a 24-hour rowing marathon on Thursday 10 December to raise cash for Northampton Hope Centre, which provides support for the homeless.

Town centre Christmas shoppers will be able to encourage the group of 30 students, who will be taking it in turns on rowing machines in the Grosvenor Centre from 10am. At 6pm the rowers will relocate to the University’s Park Campus for the night shift.

This is the second year they will have undertaken the challenge – in 2014, the students rowed in excess of one million metres, raising more than £2,000, which was split between the Hope Centre and used to buy equipment for their club.

The event has been organised by Rowing Club women’s captain, Hannah Foggett, and women’s vice-captain, Jacque Jay, and will be supported by volunteers from other University sports clubs, former rowing club members and members of Northampton Rowing Club.

Hannah said: “Last year’s challenge was incredibly tough, but the thought of helping homeless people in our town – plus the support of the public and those who sponsored us – really helped to keep us going.

“We’re determined to raise even more money, with a target of £5,000, and to row even further this year, and we would be delighted to see shoppers turn out in force to support us in the Grosvenor Centre on Thursday.”

Adrian Pryce, Senior Lecturer in Northampton Business School and Chair of the Hope Centre, added: “I am thrilled to see the rowing challenge becoming an annual event – I wish the rowers good luck and thank them all for their efforts in raising awareness and much-needed funds for the Hope Centre.”

People coming along to the event will be able to take part in a ‘guess the metres’ competition, for a minimum donation of £1. Those closest to the final total of metres rows will win a gift basket containing chocolate, sweets, candles, a Nando’s voucher, a massage voucher, hot water bottle and two bottles of wine.

You can donate online by visiting the team’s Just Giving fundraising page: https://www.justgiving.com/Stallions-Rowing?utm_id=58, or by texting ROWH67, followed by the amount you’d like to donate, to 70070.

To find out more about Northampton Hope Centre, visit https://northamptonhopecentre.org.uk/