Loughborough Boat Club raises over £500 for Living Without Abuse (LWA) by rowing the Tidal Thames on dry land

Loughborough Boat Club raised £525.81 in sponsorship for Living Without Abuse (LWA) by taking on the ‘Race the Thames Challenge’.

On Sunday 29 January, two crews of eight took part in a race on their rowing machines. They completed the equivalent of the Tidal Thames – 72km – between them in just under five hours.

The family friendly event was open to the public and involved a tombola, cake and food sales at Loughborough Boat Club in Zouch. LWA was on hand to explain about the charity and its’ support for people across Leicester city, Leicestershire county and Rutland.

Speaking after the event, Paul Corrigan, from Castle Donington said: “I feel a great sense of achievement although after 9 x 1000m sprints our thighs are feeling it – hot baths with Epsom salts required! The crews are delighted – it’s so rewarding to support a local charity which touches the lives of many.”

Congratulations to Eleanor Dyson, Hannah Preston, Victoria Linsley, Jess Crichard, Ben Norman, Victoria Haines, Natalie LaValley and Nadine Storey, Emily Quinton (Corrigan), Paul Corrigan, Phill Gunning, Allen Storey, Jonathan Cox, Jen Smith, Ellie Lilliott and Liv Young onboard.

Asked will you do more charity rowing in future, Emily Corrigan, who is Head of Fundraising at LWA as well as part of Masters crew replied: “Absolutely – we are already considering our next challenge. Living Without Abuse is delighted that LBC has decided to donate funds to LWA.”

Would they race the Thames again? “Definitely! It is such a great team event – lots of team spirit, rowers and visitors shouting the competitors on which made all the difference, especially as four plus hours in we were nearing the end of the challenge and our legs were getting very tired.”

Organiser of the event Eleanor Dyson commented: “I love rowing, I am 21 and have been involved for ten years. We are really pleased to be raising money for such a great cause.”

There are many different types of domestic abuse, including: physical, emotional, mental, verbal, sexual, financial, female genital mutilation, honour-based violence, forced marriage, stalking and harassment. Living Without Abuse is there to support anyone who is currently going through abuse or has been through it in the past. Find out more here: https://lwa.org.uk