WLARC's Centenary Fundraising Campaign

Aim

Help us upgrade our indoor rowing provision to enable us to support more Women and Girls to row!

Who are we?

Weybridge Ladies Amateur Rowing Club (WLARC) are a women's only rowing club based in Weybridge, Surrey. We are a community of women who support each other through rowing by providing a supportive environment and opportunities to take part in the sport on their own terms, based on their individual needs.

We believe women deserve a supportive, inclusive community dedicated to women's rowing.

At WLARC, we accommodate a wide range of rowing ambitions—from those looking to develop (after completing learn-to-row courses), to recreational rowers, to seasoned racers, and women looking to improve their fitness through land-based training.

Our founder Amy Gentry OBE was born in Barnes, close to the River Thames, and participated in water sports from an early age; racing dinghies at the age of six. She was also an icon of women’s rowing.

In 1919 Weybridge Rowing Club organised celebrations of the Allied victory in the First World War, and she took part in a race of ladies' fours.

In 1927, she took part in the first Women's Eights Head of the River Race, in which her Weybridge ladies club boat won.

Amy went on to become British single sculls champion in 1932, 1933, and 1934, and retired undefeated. She also helped administer the sport of rowing, acting as secretary of the Women's Amateur Rowing Association between 1926 and 1938. She chaired it, and its successor body, the Women's Committee of the Amateur Rowing Association, until retiring in 1968.

In 1960, she persuaded the International Rowing Federation to hold its Women's European Championships in London.

She was awarded the Order of the British Empire for services to rowing in 1969.

This history is something we want to continue, demonstrating to local women and girls that they, too, can become successful in sport, should they wish to! 

Why are we crowdfunding?

2026 is our centenary year, and to celebrate our club's rich history and to continue it's positive impact on women and girls in the local community, we are crowdfunding to develop our indoor land training facilities!

Due to shorter daylight hours during half the year and increasingly wet winters, there are periods of the year where we aren't able to row on the river safely. As a result we need to develop our land training equipment to enable us to continue to provide women and girls the opportunity to develop their rowing skills and fitness, whilst benefitting from the mental well being and social benefits of being part of a community.

How we’ll spend the money raised

To develop our indoor facilities we need to raise £8843, and fantastically Sport England have recently offered to fund half of this through match funding!

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT in fundraising at least £4422 to ensure we can unlock this match funding and complete our project.

The money you give will go towards purchasing new indoor gym equipment which will enable us to provide varied group training sessions for all abilities. This will include rowing machines, yoga mats, a variety of weights and new protective flooring.

What Will Happen To Any Monies Raised Over The Target?

If we raise over our target, any money remaining will still go to supporting rowing provision at the club, and will be used to buy other rowing equipment such as oars (for example) to support with water based training!

Community impact

Developing our indoor training facilities will enable us to:

• Provide land-based training provision suitable for all the ability levels to help women and girls keep fit or improve their fitness.

• Engage new participants through fun and enjoyable sessions when we can’t get on the water.

• Keep our current participants engaged with the club through the winter months.

• Support our participants with the cost of living by providing suitable provision for all types of rowing training.

Once finished, this project will enable us to continue to provide women and girls in our local community safe and fund rowing opportunities by:

• Allowing women to take up the sport throughout the year at their own pace, with no pressure to compete, but have the right opportunities to compete should they wish to, and develop their skills.

• Introducing them to an elite sport, at an affordable cost, with access to positive role models, allowing them to feel empowered.

• Giving them the opportunity to lead healthier, fitter and happier lives by accessing a sport, on their doorstep, regularly throughout the year, in a comfortable environment, supported by other women.

• Maintaining a supportive, empowering community for women that not only benefits their physical health, but their mental and social health too.

How you can play your part

There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.

1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!

2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.

3. Corporate Sponsorship. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters or support through one of our sponsorship packages. We will give you a shout out!

4. Fundraise for us. If you want to run your own fundraiser – maybe a sponsored activity or similar – use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details. Just a fun idea!

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 5th June 2026 at 7:57am