Story
At the Vintners’ staff party, last Christmas, I floated an idea past our Swan Marker, Milky Prentice, that a sponsored row from Putney (opposite Hammersmith where I live) to Poplar Rowing Club (our Swan Uppers’ base opposite Greenwich) might be an effective fund-raiser for both the Vintners’ Foundation, and my Master’s charity of choice, Anthony Nolan, the blood cancer charity.
The next thing I know I have been nominated as stroke by our Swan Uppers, some of whom will help me power a four/five man cutter over the 16 mile course on Saturday 10th June.
The Vintners’ Foundation gives considerable financial support to a variety of good causes where we Vintners can make a difference to the lives of the disadvantaged, particularly the young, in our local community. The greater the funds we have in the kitty the more effective that support becomes.
Anthony Nolan provides vital care for people with blood cancer and blood disorders. One of our Swan Uppers, Chris Spencer, was diagnosed with leukaemia a few years ago. I have got to know our Swan Uppers well since my time as Swan Warden and this gives me the chance to acknowledge what they do for the Company and specifically to contribute to a very worthwhile cause that has done so much to help Chris and many others.
Compared to the rest of my crew, all of whom have rowed at national and even international level, my rowing CV is somewhat more modest with only the odd sortie round the Serpentine to show for it, so you can see this will be something of a challenge for a 65 year old Vintner. However, under the guidance of Chris’s brother, Roger, I have been quietly training on a rowing machine beneath Vintners’ Place and occasionally in the rowing tank at Poplar. Where there’s a will, a fresh
south westerly breeze and an ebb tide, we hope to complete the course in under two hours.
I do appreciate that we all get asked for sponsorship for so many
different events and causes but I would appreciate any support you can give enormously. I have set a target of £16,000 to raise £1,000 for every mile of river rowed, it would be fantastic to reach this.
Donations will be split 50/50 between the Vintners’ Foundation and Anthony Nolan.