The last month has been incredibly busy, fraught with tension and mounting hard work in the search for corporate sponsors. Having entered talks with two potentially big sponsors based in Cambridge only to be told this week that they could not support our endeavour at this time... Our hopes had risen only to fall again, we have now become somewhat thick skinned about matters such as these and therefore try to move on fairly quickly in order to keep ourselves confident and ready to approach new companies.
The boat has now had a few former sponsor stickers removed and has plenty of space for advertising by companies willing to support and help us either financially or with products and services, this week R1 successfully managed to get some new Oarlocks (gates) donated, they're specialist gates and actually seem be a lot more efficient and practical than most standard gates. Well done R1...
Last weekend The Oar Raisers held a fathers day boat brunch aboard the river boat Georgina. Organised by Abigail Smith our Fundraising Manager. Approximately forty people endured the cruise up river & attentively listened to our presentation about the Atlantic and things we have to think about before leaving and whilst on the water. This is a presentation designed to give information about the trip and it is the exact pitch we give to other groups such as companies and schools - for this reason it is fairly flexible in it's delivery so we can tailor to each individual audience. It is always interesting to see people's reactions at certain things we mention or slides we show... sharks tending to take the lime light on every occasion.
Aside of the presentation we held a raffle which had one large hamper prize... Large in this case was actually close to enormous. We had a plethora of exciting foods from Atlantic smoked salmon and Salami's to some of the most fantastic cheeses I'd ever tried. Due to Abigail' persistence and brilliant efforts at working on donations for the event we were supplied with a veritable smorgasbord of Sausages, Jams, chutneys and croissants... a really stunning effort on her part and well worth it, the boat brunch would not have been as successful without her commitment and focus. Thank you and well done Abigail.
The Day before the brunch we actually took Papa Delta on the Cam and rowed her for the first time although on slightly calmer waters than we can expect to experience later this year. Saturday 18th June the last day of the bumps and we rowed ahead of the mens division five 8's crew, mooring up outside the plough in Fen Ditton and talking to people about our trip - even managing a long overdue catch up with some of the former CCat's R1 rowed with.
The following week consisted of R1 having wisdom teeth removed and affecting a Desperate Dan style swollen face and R2 has had a popeyesque swollen arm due to some mild ligament damage... SOunding a lot more serious than I think it actually is, we are both on the road to recovery thankfully.
Friday 1st of July The Oar Raisers benefit gig at the Haymakers Cambridge in conjunction with Nein Sushi promotions -four bands and a comedian for £5!!!... talk about value for money and what a way to help a charity...come on down and bring your friends, that's all for now - keep reading guys.
R2
