Update on Sunday 2nd September:

We did it - we got BRONZE.

What an amazing day we all had yesterday the adrenaline was pumping and what an amazing achievement for the first ever all women’s crew in the Corporate Eights Challenge with receiving bronze.

The day started off with the time trials which I won’t dwell on as we came in at I and for those of you who knew it was 9 teams that meant last.  But our coach Murray Eldridge never let on, he just said “you need to win the two races in your heat, keep focused as there are teams to be beaten out their and enjoy it as you can still make the final” and we did and hope we made him proud.

So, we won the first and second races in our heat, no problem and that meant we were in the A final – the adrenaline was really pumping by now and we could all smell the victory and our supporters on the banks were great giving us that encouragement in the last 100 metres which were the toughest.

The final was now upon us and the toughest part of the competition as we were up against Microsoft (the all men crew who’d come 1^st in the time trials) and Richard Gray 1 (even split of men and women with Tony as the coach) so after our handicap start we looked good but then power overtook us, but we fought on gallantly and though disappointed it was an amazing achievement for eight women to come so far with only two months training.

On behalf of ‘Independent Women’ we would like to thank all our supporters for coming along yesterday, to all those of you who pledged such generous donations which resulted in us piping our £5k target on Friday night.

Once we have all recovered as their may be a few well deserved sore heads and we have counted all the outstanding monies and counted the tins that Connor, Brad and Lauren successfully shook yesterday we will update you on our final figure for ‘East Berkshire Women’s Aid’.

Orginal Message:

A few months ago Karen Margerison the Squad Captain put it to a group

of local businesswomen at a She plc networking lunch, “were we up for a challenge?”  The ordeal in question was rowing, and taking part in the Corporate Eights Challenge, and here we are today.

Training started on Thursday 5^th July with an introduction to the ‘Ergos’ (rowing machines) something that we soon realized would become our new best friends for the months ahead.  Last Wednesday the 8^th August at 5.30am, we took to the water for the last part of the training, as the only all women’s 8 crew for the Corporate Challenge on Saturday 1^st September at Reading Rowing Club.

The event is open to the public and is proposed to start from 11am with a bar, BBQ and entertainment so everyone’s support is welcome.

Profiles of the ‘Independent Women’ squad can be viewed on our website www.independentwomen.org.uk which will be going live on Tuesday 14th August. 

Donating to the teams chosen charity couldn't be easier through this site as it is fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor 'Independent Women' as East Berkshire Women's Aid will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.