Christ's College

What's the plan

Plans and training are in hand for 6 intrepid rowers from the 60's to scull a coxed coastal IV from Christ's College Boathouse to Downham Market, and back, on the Great Ouse and the River Cam.

The crew have raced together in the Fairbairns Crustaceans 2nd VIII in 2007 and 2008 but the first occasion on which they will scull together will be at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday 18th June 2009, the beginning of the voyage. By the time they return upstream to the Boathouse, 60 miles and two days later, they can expect to be well practised, comprehensively blistered and not a little exhausted.

Why

The reason for all this effort, besides the pleasure of each other's company on a Fenland adventure, is to raise seed-corn funds for the renovation and extension of CCBC Boathouse.

Originally built in the 1880's, the Boathouse is a glorious building in a Conservation Area. It reeks of past glories, abandoned rowing kit (did you ever collect yours?), present successes and future welcomes for generations of Christ's rowers still to come. The main requirements are for better boat storage, expanded changing facilities for Men and Women, more practical Ergo- and weight-training areas. A new office/video coaching room for our Boatman, ex-Blue Boat President, Kat Astley, will avoid her having to climb over an VIII to reach her desk. There are currently two sets of architects competing to provide the most appropriate design, and the successful bidder will soon be announced by the current Chairman of Boat Club Steering Committee, Robin Kerr. Incidentally, Robin is needing to concentrate on the rebuilding programme and is seeking a replacement for the role of Chairman which he has fulfilled for 4 years.

Estimates for the final cost are in the region of £2m; this sponsored row is a chance for every Christ's rower to contribute whatever they can spare, to set the fund-raising on its way downstream. If every possible sponsor could pledge £50 we should be able to raise around £35,000. This is just a preliminary event to raise seed-corn (or launch) money – the launch and main appeal will come later.

The Blades are aware that many charities press their worthy claims for our contributions, and that no children will die if the Boathouse is not renovated. However, the students who learn to row at Cambridge discover the value and rewards that stem from organisation, effort and teamwork; this stands them in good stead for future careers that will influence the lives of many others not fortunate enough to have skimmed a mist-shrouded River Cam at dawn.

How to donate

Sponsorship forms which give more information and can be used for collecting from friends and family can be found here.

Please print these off on both sides of A4 paper. They will work fine in black and white, but the colours, blue and white, are Christ's! If you would like to receive printed copies, please email admin.christsbc@googlemail.com with your postal address.

Completed sheets will be required to be sent back to Christ's College Development Director, Catherine Twilley, so that the Gift Aid claim can be supported by documentary evidence from tax-payers. Postal address: The Development Office, Christ’s College, Cambridge CB2 3BU. Payment by cheque will be welcomed, payable to Christ’s College Boat Club. For queries on donations of any sort please call Catherine on 01223 766710 or email her at cmt23@cam.ac.uk.

Alternatively, forget all about printing the forms and just make a payment on-line at the secure web-site that can be reached here. In the box for Additional details: I would like to support, please select: E-Boat Club.

For US taxpayers the most cost effective way to contribute is via Cambridge in America at www.cantab.org. Since this is a US registered charity, anyone who contributes can claim the gift as tax-deductible provided they itemise when filing annual taxes (as most do). The gift form allows a request to be directed to a specific College and purpose (i.e. Boathouse Fund).

Please give your sponsorship support to those who are about to row.

Training

Tom Swallow and Robin Kerr did outings in the plastic double tub with Mark Lawrence to practice for the big row. The other members did as much training as they could in their local area between gyms and bizare exercises thought up by Kat.