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One ExtraOARdinary Challenge
ONE EXTRAOARDINARY CHALLENGE
The ‘oars’ may have been mechanical but the rowing was very real in the Shiplake College Rowvember Challenge.
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Last year Charlie Waller speaker Dick Moore gave an online talk about the importance of teenage emotional and mental health at Shiplake College in Oxfordshire.
It inspired the College to launch a ‘Rowvember’ Challenge, encouraging staff, pupils, parents and the wider local community to row 250 metres in support of the Trust. The event, which ran throughout November, asked participants to donate £2.50 when they completed the challenge. In total, over £4,000 was raised.
Dick finished his talk with the following advice to the pupils: “If I could ask one thing of you it would be this. When you are next feeling down or lonely or fed up or overwhelmed, talk to someone.”
Shiplake College Headmaster, Tyrone Howe, said: "I have been aware of the Charlie Waller Trust for a number of years and have huge admiration for the support and education it gives to young people.
“More than ever before, our pupils are being challenged by uncertainty and insecurity, and it is vital that we maintain our positive attitude and hopes for the future, and try to turn challenge into opportunity. “
I am a big believer that physical wellbeing has an enormous benefit for our mental state. As an elite rowing school, we want to use our particular strengths to help others and also have fun and connect as a school community.”
Shiplake is nationally renowned for rowing, with current and former pupils representing Great Britain, including Olympic gold medallists Will Satch and Ben Hunt-Davis. More than half the school completed the challenge, with the fastest time set at 39.0 seconds by the Captain of Boats Dan Hallsworth.
Clare Stafford, Charlie Waller CEO, said: “We are tremendously grateful to all the students, staff and parents of Shiplake College for their marvellous Rowvember challenge. To have raised over £4,000 in these difficult times is an inspirational achievement. Not only have they raised this wonderful sum of money – the challenge has also helped raise awareness of our work and to underline our message that taking regular physical exercise is a great way for everyone to look after their mental health.”
