Members of 1st Cuddington Sea Scout Group, their friends and families and supporters of the group are being asked to line a stretch of the river Thames and cheer members of the group as 18 teams comprising of 100 rowers and two support crews complete over 100 miles of rowing in aid of Princess Alice Hospice and their Scout group.
The 1st Cuddington group lost two great supporters last year - Judith Mobbs (wife of Alan and former Beaver helper), and Don Everitt (former Scout Leader, Explorer Scout Leader, Rowing instructor, RYA Chief Instructor and much more.) Both individuals and their families received brilliant care from the wonderful team at Princess Alice Hospice.
The group say:
“The hospice has a history of supporting our community. As well as Don & Judith last year, in 1998, they supported Recce Hutchinson - former Scout Leader, proponent of pink fluffy slippers, brilliant jokes and very sage advice - and his family in the last stages of his life. As a group and as members of the wider community we value the support that they give.”
“At Don Everitt's wake, an idea was conceived of undertaking a sponsored row in memory of our friends and to raise funds for both the group and the hospice which provided such exceptional care. What made it even better was that our friends at the 4th Thames Ditton (Ajax) Sea Scouts had started preparation for such an event. Given the work Don did to set up our joint RYA training centre, the idea seemed unbelievably good.”
“Nearly six months later, the event is upon us. At 00:01 on Saturday 15 June, two Warspite gigs will start rowing at Mapeldurham lock and head down the 55 miles of the River Thames to the clubs boathouse. Over the course of the event, each gig will be rowed by nine teams, so by the early evening, the 18 teams rowing the boats will have completed 100 miles.
An array of participants are taking part in the sponsored row, they include Recce's son, Don's children, ex members of the group, current scouts, mums, dads and many more. The first leg includes a team with ex members who won the youth trophy in the Great River Race with Scouts approximately 15 years ago.
The final leg will see group Leaders who worked closely with Don, rowing alongside the team Don coached and coxed to victory in the 2012 under 14 section of the Great River Race. There are more amazing background stories about the teams. Details can be found at www.facebook.com/warspiteseascouts
The Scout group is inviting supporters to join them at the finish to cheer the last boats home and enjoy a summer BBQ. Crews are expected between 5.30 and 7pm, if you would like to join in the fun email check out http://scoutsrow.blogspot.co.uk for updated details.
So far the group have raised over £4,300 online and more using the traditional paper sponsorship form. Their hope is to raise at least £5,000 for the two causes.
Notes
- Princess Alice Hospice is a registered charity. It provides specialist end of life and palliative care free of charge to people with advanced illness and those approaching the end of their lives. The charity provides support to families and friends at every stage of illness and after death.
- The Hospice catchment area includes Surrey, South West London and Middlesex serving a population in excess of 1 million.
- Over £8 million is needed each year to provide these vital and much needed services, with limited NHS funding over 77% of funding must be raised through voluntary donations and fundraising.
- 1st Cuddington (Warspite) Sea Scouts (charity 307511) is a part of the Scout Association and one of just 101 Sea Scout groups inspected & recognised by the Royal Navy for excellence in training.
