Help us to purchase a new boat for the LMH W1 crew!

The LMH Boat Club are seeking to raise £24,500 to replace the womens 1st VIII Boat. This happens to coincide with a very special anniversary for the club: 2019 marks 50 years since women were first permitted to compete in rowing at the University, and 120 years since LMH first put a crew on the water.

W1 are placed in the middle of Division 2 for Torpids and Eights, but are aspiring to reach the top division in both and hope to do so within the next 3 years. Your support could help them purchase the equipment they need to progress through the ranks and compete at the highest level within bumps.

Why we need your help:

Rowing is an Oxford institution, but it is also one of the more expensive sports to take part in. On top of regular maintenance, competition and kit costs, the 1st boat needs to be replaced every 9 or 10 years to keep the club competitive with other colleges. LMH regularly holds its own or even beats colleges with greater resources through the hard work and dedication of its members. Both 1st boats are on upwards trends towards division 1 in Torpids and Eights. Being able to match the equipment of the top ranked colleges would help us maintain this momentum.

LMH gives the Boat Club a budget each year to help with running costs, as it does for other College sports teams, but purchasing new boats is a major expense.

A new boat costs about £30,000, and a new set of blades is £4,500. The Boat Club are trying to raise as much as they can through sponsored bumps, membership subs and merchandise sales, and once they have purchased the new boat they hope to sell the old womens 1st boat for around £10,000 to recoup some of what they have just spent.

We are reaching out to alumni and friends of LMH to help the club raise the remaining amount that they need to purchase the new boat in time for the next academic year. If we raise more than our initial target, the club will use the money to support the running costs of the club.

Please make a gift to support the team in this special anniversary year! As a special thank you, anyone who donates £350 or more (£280 with Gift Aid) will be offered the chance to have their name on one of the new blades.

Thank you!