RowRunner Raises Funds to Help Young People in Barrow

On Saturday 4 September, staff from BAE Systems, Barrow Women’s Community Matters and Furness Youth Work Partnership rowed and ran in support of our work with vulnerable young people in Barrow.

The event saw four teams competing as they rowed over 20 miles on Windermere, with team members running up the fells of Latterbarrow, Gummers How and Wansfell before racing back to the finish line at Brathay Hall.

Money raised will go towards our Focus on Furness Appeal, a fund which helps young people in the area who face challenging circumstances.

This is event is a fantastic fundraiser for our work in Barrow. We worked throughout the pandemic to support young people and families through lockdown, offering mental health support, activity ideas and running sessions around wellbeing. It’s such a crucial time to keep the support going and fundraisers such as this enable us continue to help individuals and families!

Sarah Cubiss, Delivery Manager

Teams set off 09:30 am in high spirits and good conditions, successfully navigating a busy Windermere and tackling the rough terrain of the fells.

Sponsors BAE Systems submitted two teams for the event (Team Beta and Team Destroyer) who were in fierce competition for most of the day before team Beta grabbed the win and the fastest time so far by a BAE Systems team (06:18 minutes). The record for the event is held by Sanlam/Newcastle University (06:07). Second place was taken by Team Destroyer in 06:44, third by Team Snack Attack with 08:02 (Furness Youth Work Partnership) and in fourth place was Team Alpha with 08:24 (Barrow Women’s Community Matters).

Neil Doherty, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager for BAE Systems and Captain of winning team Beta said: 

This is my third RowRunner and I have had a fantastic time. It has been great to have the team back together like this. I always enjoy supporting this event as it gives back to Barrow and our local community. I would recommend other businesses to sign up for the challenge particularly if they are local as it helps young people in our area.

Becky Caine from Barrow Women’s Community Matter, who signed up to the event with just two weeks’ notice, said: 

It’s been a great day out with the team, really challenging but I’m proud of everyone for taking part.