‘If the battle against cancer was a rowing race, the finish line is in sight – leave everything out on the water’

One Avon County RC rower explains why he’s getting behind British Rowing’s partnership with Cancer Research UK

William Gray, a rower with Avon County RC, shares his experience of fundraising for Cancer Research UK (CRUK), British Rowing’s Official Charity Partner.

“I first volunteered for CRUK in 2005 as a marshal at a Race for Life event in Avon. Thirteen years later, and despite running less and rowing more, I am still involved in helping this race take place.

“I wasn’t a rower when I began supporting CRUK but rowing has now become something of an obsession. However, my enjoyment and participation in supporting CRUK has remained consistent and, to my mind, getting together with British Rowing this year provides the perfect synergy. Both organisations take the same active approach to their end goal and a positive way of going about it.

“I was diagnosed with cancer myself back in 2013 and the treatment I received was testament to the huge, and ever accelerating, steps that have been taken against this disease. I feel we are very much on the home straight and can’t wait to see the impact British Rowing and the wider rowing community will make.

“If the battle against cancer was a rowing race, then to use the language of coxes up and down the land: ‘let’s empty the tanks and throw the kitchen sink at this one. The finish line is in sight, leave everything out on the water!'”

Cancer Research UK’s groundbreaking work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has seen UK survival rates double in the last 40 years.

British Rowing is encouraging the rowing community to join in and raise money to help support Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work.

Find out how you can get involved in supporting Cancer Research UK here.