AN AMBITIOUS crowdfunding appeal has been launched by Evesham Rowing and Racquets Club in a bid to secure its future for generations to come.
The organisation is vying to generate £90.000 to buy its club and the site it is built on, including the boathouse, the tennis and squash courts, and to cover the legal fees.
Evesham Rowing and Racquets Club is not-for-profit volunteer-run and, as well as the rowing, provides tennis and squash to promote health and fitness.
The site is also a bustling centre of community activity with a thriving membership of all ages – from pre-school children to people in their 80s – heading down to participate in sporting and group activities.
Membership prices are kept as low as possible and the club’s inclusion policy means all are welcome.
The boathouse dates back more than 160 years, making the rowing club one of the oldest in the country.
And the rowing section has nurtured some world-class competitors on their sporting journey including Olympic gold medalists Alex Gregory and Zac Purchase and Paralympian Kingsley Ijomah.
The rowing club recently celebrated its hugely successful and busiest Autumn Head event to date with hundreds of competitors taking to the water.
And the site, a key part of Evesham’s town centre riverside, also boasts the highly-rated Riverside Cafe which is popular for its brilliant breakfasts.
Chairman, Simon Edwards said, after a difficult few years post-Covid, with inclement weather forcing cancellation of events and rapidly escalating costs, the club now had cause to look forward to the future with optimism.
“We have the opportunity to purchase the freehold of our beloved boathouse from the family that has supported us from our inception over 150 years ago.”
As well as securing the future, it would unlock the potential to develop the site for both Evesham’s athletes and the town’s wider community.
Simon added: “This is a once-in-a-generation chance that would have a lasting impact across local sport and recreation.
“We’re now busy raising funds to make our vision a reality and I am extremely grateful to our club members who have already pledged their financial support and organised a fundraising ball, which together has helped raised over £40,000 towards our £90,000 target.
“But, we need more support to buy the boathouse and build a lasting legacy for generations to come.
“This is about far more than bricks and mortar – it’s about securing a home for our athletes, creating better facilities for the whole community and ensuring that sport continues to thrive in Evesham for decades to come.”
People are being urged to pledge what the can towards the crowdfunding total, organise fundraising or sponsored events for the cause, donate items which could be offered to raise funds and spread the word about the campaign via social media.
Anyone who can help by contributing should email: [email protected] or visit: crowdfunder.co.uk/p/buying-evesham-rowing-racquets-boathouse and pledge what they can.
And go to: erc.club for more on Evesham Rowing Club.
