Rowers from LEH and Hampton School are set to embark on an ambitious sponsored challenge this September, as they take on an 80-mile journey along the River Thames in support of Shooting Star Children’s Hospices.
Taking place across the weekend of 12 and 13 September 2026, the two-day event will see nearly 100 pupils from both schools join forces, alongside a dedicated parents’ crew, in what promises to be a memorable test of endurance, teamwork and spirit.
First launched in 2015, this year marks the fourth Sponsored Row, with the event now a well-established highlight of the Hampton and Holles Boat Club calendar and a powerful demonstration of the two schools’ shared community spirit.
Crews will row downstream from Radley College Boat Club to LEH and Hampton’s Millennium Boathouse, navigating 28 locks and passing through five counties: Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Surrey and Middlesex.
The route is split across two days. On the first, crews will row from Radley to Oxford Brookes University Boat Club, before continuing on to Shiplake College. Day two will see them push on from Shiplake via Eton College’s Old Boathouse, before completing the final stretch back to the Millennium Boathouse.
As ever, the event will be supported by a committed team of parents and volunteers, who will provide food and refreshments at each stop, operate lock transitions, and line the riverbanks to cheer the crews on throughout the challenge.
Funds raised will go to Shooting Star Children’s Hospices, a charity that supports families across Surrey and London with children who have life-limiting conditions. The sponsored row has a proud history of raising substantial sums for the charity, and this year’s crews will be aiming to build on that success.
Bea Welch, Community Fundraiser from the charity, commented:
“We are so thrilled to be a part of Hampton and LED School’s inspiring 80-mile charity row! We’re continually amazed by the passion and dedication that goes into this challenge, and the impact it creates for children and families is truly remarkable. We have no doubt they’ll smash it once again this year!”
With weeks of training ahead, excitement is already building for what promises to be a demanding but hugely rewarding experience for all involved.
Donations are welcome.