AFTER his successful Centurion Challenge, Coventry rower Dam Winton is still fundraising for Here For Sport – the foundation he helped set up.
The cash Sam collects will help Here For Sport run a programme with Coventry’s Whitley Academy, a school which caters for a large population of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
He aims to get rowing machines into schools, to give children of Coventry the opportunity to take part in a sport that is traditionally elitist.
“Our long time ambition is to create new opportunities within the city, allowing more people to do a wider range of sports, whilst challenging preconceptions.
“We hope to flip the narrative around ‘elitist sports’ and break down barriers to participation so anyone is able to enjoy any sport if they have the inclination.”
The Centurion Challenge was part of the London Youth Rowing (LYR) challenge which is being backed by three-times Olympic champion Andy Triggs Hodge.
Andy said: “It was fascinating to see how rowing can make a big difference if its given some time with the right energy and the right backing.
“Sam is the most amazing advocate of the sport, just seeing the challenge happen in a city that doesn’t have rowing was brilliant.
“You take a rowing machine into a school and the affect it has on the kids is just fantastic, they all get involved, and rowing is one of the best sports to engage those kids that don’t play football or traditional sports.”
The day was filled with rowing, with school children competing on the rowing machines, some for the first time.
“There was really clearly a demand on the day from the people and I think that’s what kept me going, just how much they were enjoying it.
“It took me just over 7 hours and 54 minutes to complete the challenge, it was great to have Andy come by at the end.
“We had about 70 school children, but there we also 40 to 50 adults, parents and passers by that were so curious that they jumped on a machine and really got behind us.”
Visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?pageId=1300170 to donate to the fundraiser.
