Cuth’s 12 Days of Outreach

Women at Rutherford Head

Days of Outreach

Men racing at Rutherford

We have had a strong start to the 2019/20 season. In our senior squads, for the first time in a few years, we have been able to field two VIIIs from each of the Men’s and Women’s Squads which is a great sign of our squad depth. Unfortunately, we have not been able to get on the water as much as we would like on account of the terrible weather Durham has experienced. Nevertheless, at Rutherford Head in December we raced in the new VIII for the first time. Our Men’s and Women’s Squads placed 5th and 4th respectively amongst the colleges in what is shaping up to be a very competitive year for college rowing. With more training and race practice in Epiphany, both crews are hoping to climb up the rankings as we look towards the bigger races of the year. The freshers have signed up in vast numbers and remain keen and committed despite the lack of outings that the Wear has granted them. At the Novice Cup our top Men’s IV came 2nd overall and our top Women’s IV placed 6th, which is a very promising start to their rowing careers. Buoyed by the investment in our fleet we are looking to reinstate SCSBC as one of the top clubs in Durham – watch out for us at WeHoRR, HoRR and Durham Regatta! Giles Matthews, SCSBC Captain of Boats 2019/20 cuthberts.boatclub@durham.ac.uk

This term Cuth’s Outreach Committee put on their biggest fundraiser yet, 12 Days of Outreach. This entailed a fundraising event every day of the first 12 days of December, some small and some not so small. The events included a bake sale, Santa Hat Formal, ice bucket challenges, karaoke and finally, a Cuth’s classic, a silent disco. Alongside the fundraising events we also did a food drive, collecting non-perishable goods which were donated to both the Durham Foodbank and DASH (Durham Action on Single Housing). In total the committee managed to raise £637, and a considerable amount of food (who knew students had so much unwanted food!). The money was donated to Hope for Christmas, an appeal made by Children North East. The money helped disadvantaged families in the North East have a Christmas as normal as possible, by buying small Christmas presents, ingredients for a Christmas dinner, jumpers to keep them warm at Christmastime. Children North East thanks us all and says that this is a significant donation, with every pound being spent to help children in the North East. The committee would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who donated and also to everyone who helped in the organisation of the 12 days. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Sammy Alcock JCR Outreach Chair 2019-2020