Rowers from Hampton School and Lady Eleanor Holles (LEH) School pulled together to raise over £80,000 for Shooting Star Children's Hospices.

Pupils and parents from both West London's schools completed a remarkable 80-mile sponsored row on the River Thames across two days to raise funds for the local charity.

Ten boats tackled 80 miles and 28 locks as the rowers travelled from Radley College Boat Club, Oxfordshire to Hampton. The oarsmen and women aged from 15 to over 50, overcame blistered hands, aching muscles and every weather condition to complete the row.

Lady Eleanor Holles Secondary school for girls pulled together. (Photo: Hampton School)

Chair of the joint schools' Boat Club Association, Bryan Kelly said: "We are incredibly proud of rowers young and old who took on this gruelling challenge. Tremendous teamwork on and off the water ensured a memorable weekend and significant donations to a very worthwhile cause." 

They were ably supported by an army of parent volunteers manning locks, providing much needed sustenance and offering full-voiced vocal encouragement along the way.

Hampton School's Director of Rowing, Colin Greenaway and Acting Head of Rowing at LEH, John Moon, praised all on their achievement: The Hampton and LEH Boat Clubs achieved a remarkable feat with Fifth and Sixth Formers, and parents rowing over 24 hours across two days to cover 80 miles of the River Thames.

"None of this could have happened without the sterling efforts of colleagues and parents who worked tirelessly in the background to support our incredible oarsmen and women. It was a truly inspiring community effort and we are all delighted to have raised so much money for our local charity, Shooting Star Children's Hospices."

Pupils and parents from both West London's schools completed the sponsored row across two days. (Photo: Hampton School)

The rowers' spirits were boosted as news of generous donations flooded in, and to date the sponsored row has raised in excess of £80.000 (including gift aid) – a figure which is likely to continue to increase.

Executive Vice President of Shooting Star Children's Hospices, Karen Sugarman, thanked everyone for their herculean efforts: "The magnificent rowing challenge that Hampton School and LEH School Boat Clubs completed was nothing short of fantastic. Huge congratulations go to every single person involved and all the volunteers that helped along the way to make it possible. This incredible amount raised will help us to continue giving a vital lifeline to support families across Surrey and west London facing the unimaginable."

Donations are still welcome: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/river-row-2023