We are the members of St Andrew Boat Club, fundraising to replace five boats and a trailer that were written off in a recent motorway accident. On our way back from an Easter training camp in Chester, our club trailer was involved in a serious crash. Thankfully, no one was injured but several boats and the trailer itself were written off.

We are a volunteer-run community club, powered by people giving their time and expertise to make rowing accessible to everyone. Our motto, “Rowing for all,” is at the heart of everything we do and right now, that’s at risk.

The boats we have lost were used daily by all members of our community that includes people aged 12 to 80 and complete beginners discovering rowing for the first time to athletes competing at local and national level. Losing them has had a huge impact across our entire club.

Our rowing community has been incredibly supportive since the crash, but we cannot rely indefinitely on the generosity of other clubs, nor can we cover these costs ourselves. Without the trailer and boats, we will have to limit the number of people who can train and race from beginners racing locally through to our elite athletes competing at the highest National level – including Henley Royal Regatta.

Insurance will only cover a fraction of the loss. Replacing the five boats and trailer, even with second-hand equipment, will cost around >£100,000.

We urgently need your help! Any donation, no matter the size, will bring us closer to getting back on the water and supporting our members again.

If you are able to make a larger contribution, please contact our fundraising committee directly at:

https://standrewboatclub.org.uk/fundraising-for-our-boat-club/