10th to 16th October 2011
The past week has been fundraising week for Cardiff University Rowing Club. Having lost a former rower Dr. Jennifer Bucknell who passed away on 5th April 2011, at the age of just 23.
It was later found that Jenny had a heart condition called ARVC, which is thought to be the second most common cause of unexpected sudden death in the young. With the loss of Jenny, we chose to raise money for CRY.
After lots of paperwork, on Tuesday 11th October we managed to secure a council permit to collect money in the City Centre. We had a great day, though the weather wasn’t really on our side, this did not stop us. With enthusiastic rowers out talking to the public about our clubs chosen charity, we managed to collect £898.35. While some rowers were out in Cardiff collecting, others were in the University Students Union holding a cake sale. With lots of baking happening over the weekend and fellow students feeling generous the bake sale was a success and raised another £188.51.
To add to our week, we went bag packing at Tesco Extra in Splott, just outside Cardiff, on Saturday 15th. This was a great day all round with the Cardiff University Rowing Club Dragons putting in an appearance and proving a massive hit with children at the store. We managed to raise £496.72 to add to our running total, whilst continuing to raise awareness for CRY.
Over the week we managed to raise a total of £1583.58, which will be split 50:50 between the club and CRY. We hope to continue to our fundraising efforts throughout the coming season whilst continuing to raise both money and awareness of the work done by CRY. We would like to extend our thanks to everyone who donated for your generosity and support of both our club and CRY.
Amy Hill
A few months before the Rowing Club’s Fundraising Week, the Club named their senior women’s coxed four after their much missed fellow crew member and friend; Jenny Bucknell.
On Sunday 5th June, Cardiff University Rowing Club, named their senior women’s coxed four after a much missed fellow crew member and friend; Jenny Bucknell. Jen was a final year medic who passed away suddenly in April this year. Jen was an active member of the rowing club managing to juggle both her degree and rowing.
Jen started rowing with C.U.R.C in September 2009. At this time of year, we train in small boats and learn to scull. Jen had a distinct over many of the senior rowers, as she had spent her summer learning to scull at Ross rowing club. With the start of the academic year and a new intake of novice rowers, Jen become a member of the novice squad, always maintaining her place in the boat in the bow seat. It was within this squad that Jen developed the name of ‘Mum’. She looked after and encouraged the younger girls, even housing them for a few weeks when their contracts at halls had expired. Jen had many successes with the novice crew; beating Swansea at the Welsh Boat Race, gaining a silver medal at BUCS Regatta, and making the quarter finals at Henley Women’s Regatta.
In her second year of rowing Jen joined the senior squad. Her placements made training difficult for her, often requiring her to drive across Wales to be back in Cardiff for a weekend of training. Regardless of this Jen managed to secure a seat in the first eight for the women’s eights head of the river, the most important race of the winter season. This was Jen’s final race before she took time off to study for her finals. It was the best performance by the senior women and we were all thrilled with the race. After the race Jen said ‘it was the perfect end to her rowing’.
It is hoped that all crews racing in the boat, now named ‘Mum’, will be able to enjoy races as good as Jen’s last one. She was an enthusiastic member of the club and she will always be remembered. This summer the opposition had better watch our because C.U.R.C Senior Women are doing it for mum!
