Ardingly Rowing Club awarded lottery funding

The outbreak of the virus and the consequent shutdown of businesses as of March 23 has left the sport and physical activity sector facing a period of uncertainty.

In response, on March 31 Sport England announced a £195m package to help the sport and physical activity sector through covid-19. Within the package is a £20m Community Emergency Fund, of National Lottery money to deliver immediate funding to those who have a role in supporting the nation to be active but are experiencing short-term financial hardship or the ceasing of operations due to the impact of coronavirus.

The grant will allow the club to emerge from the lockdown able to concentrate on returning to rowing and eventually to racing and introducing new people to the sport.

Founder and Vice President, Derek Riches, said: “The essential running costs for the Club were not changed whilst we were off the water, but our income was severely depleted. We lost Schools and University Summer Term payments, two planned Learn to Row courses, and offered reduced subs to Members whose income was affected by the pandemic. The Community Emergency Fund grant has given us both the financial security and the energy to carry on.

"Ours is the only community rowing club in Mid-Sussex and 2020 is our 25th anniversary year. We are proud of all we achieved so far and have great plans for the future.”

Tim Hollingsworth, Sport England’s Chief Executive, said: “As the body responsible for the growth of sport and physical activity participation, we want the vital grassroots organisations that make sport and physical activity happen in this country to not just to come through this crisis but to be in a position to thrive again in the future.

"The £20m Community Emergency fund, made possible by National Lottery players is part of a multimillion pound package of support we are providing to ease the pressure on a huge number of the organisations who are central to the nation’s health and wellbeing.

“We are proud to be able to provide vital funding to Ardingly Rowing Club to help it through these extremely challenging times.”

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