Rowvember Target Smashed!

It’s been a month long row-a-thon for our November Rowvember campaign and we have raised nearly £4,000 in donations and Gift Aid for teenage mental health charity, The Charlie Waller Trust, which is an incredible achievement.

The brief was simple, everyone in the Shiplake Community was tasked with rowing 250m and donating £2.50, with a challenge laid down for the fastest time for the more competitive amongst us.

But, the message about our campaign, soon went beyond our community. Other schools including Pangbourne College, Davenies School and Edgeborough Prep got involved, with our Headmaster, Mr Howe laying down the challenge to other local Headmasters.

The Worcester Warriors Rugby Team, which includes Old Viking Tom Howe, joined the challenge with teammate George Merrick getting the fastest time with an extremely impressive 35 seconds! 

We even went international with parents taking part in Switzerland and then on to the other side of the world with OV and Olympic Gold Medalist, Will Satch taking part in New Zealand!

Our target was £2,000 and we totally smashed it. Thank you to everyone who donated so generously for this worthy cause. 

Here is our Rowvember leaderboard:

During the month-long campaign we also heard from Dick Moore, an associate trainer at The Charlie Waller Trust to talk about his own personal heartache, when his son Barney tragically took his own life because of poor mental health.

Headmaster, Mr Tyrone Howe, said:"We have reached the end of our charity initiative and I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who got involved to make it such a success. 

"The money raised will go a long way to help teenagers who may be struggling with their mental health. Thank you again and I’m looking forward to next year which will be even bigger and better.”

Clare Stafford, CEO of the Charlie Waller Trust, said, “We are tremendously grateful to all the students, staff and parents of Shiplake College for their marvellous Rowvember challenge. To have raised very nearly £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. At Charlie Waller, whilst understanding the seriousness of mental health problems, we encourage young people to focus on what they can do to look after their mental health, and that includes keeping physically active and staying connected with friends and family.”

Lady Rachel Waller, who founded the Trust with her husband after their son Charlie trafigically took his own life whilst suffering from depression, also got in touch to say "I just wanted to add my thanks to you ,the headmaster and everyone who contributed to the Rowvember challenge. You raised a wonderful amount for the Trust and we are so grateful."