LYR News

London Youth Rowing have today launched a new fundraising challenge called ‘Race The Thames’ to bring together corporate teams to race indoors at the iconic Copper Box Arena on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and raise funds for the charity.

The event will take place on Friday 15 March and teams of 8 will race over an incredible 45 miles – the length of the Tidal Thames, supported by a number of high profile sports celebrities.

Matt Rostron, CEO at London Youth Rowing said:

“Race the Thames is a brand new event that will bring the business and corporate world into direct contact with the world of indoor rowing. We are staging the inaugural event on the same day as the 13th National Junior Indoor Rowing Championships (NJIRC).

“This gives us the perfect opportunity to show the Challengers not just what we do and where we work but also the spectacle of 2,300 young people racing that we are proud to work with at one of the largest junior indoor rowing events in the world. Having both groups racing on the same day at the same time will be amazing.”

The event will go live on 5th December with companies able to register their interest online. There will be prizes for the team that raises the most money for London Youth Rowing.

Sophie Hosking, LYR Board Member and London 2012 Olympic Gold medallist added:

“This is a brilliant initiative to ensure the future sustainability of the National Junior Indoor Rowing Championships, an event that attracts over 2,300 young people each year. The event is the pinnacle of the indoor rowing season for Schools and opens up the sport to a diverse mix of young people. I really hope companies can urge friends and colleagues to either take part themselves or support individual fundraising efforts too.”

Race The Thames will raise much needed funds to ensure the National Junior Indoor Rowing Championships can be delivered in 2019 and beyond and meet the current shortfall. NJIRC was launched in 2007 to engage a diverse mix of young people and now attracts huge numbers from all corners of the country including a large number of state schools. A Festival of Sport alongside the rowing competition and support from 200 volunteers will ensure a spectacular event at the Copper Box Arena.

London Youth Rowing based at Royal Docks Adventure, Newham works with 8,000 young people each year across the capital, providing unique opportunities to improve lives and combat inactivity through rowing.

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