Strutt & Parker estate agent rowing 140 miles along the Thames to support Mind and Friends of Pangbourne Primary School
A Pangbourne man will attempt to row 140 miles over five days along the Thames to support a local PTA and a mental health charity.
Tom Waltham, an estate agent who works at Strutt & Parker, will be rowing from Lechlade-on-Thames in the Cotswolds to Tower Bridge in London from Monday, September 5.
During his rowing challenge, Mr Waltham will be supporting the mental health charity Mind and Friends of Pangbourne Primary School (FOPPS).
He said: “Having never rowed before there is plenty of work to do, but fortunately I have partnered up with the amazing director of rowing at Pangbourne College, Charles Waite-Roberts, who will be providing me with training over the next few months, two sculls [single-seater rowing boats] and a support vessel for the duration of the challenge.”
Mr Waite-Roberts said: “With 46 locks and a combination of non-tidal and tidal conditions to navigate, paired with the fact that Tom has no previous rowing experience, he has certainly set himself an incredibly difficult challenge.
“It will be no mean feat.
“That said, he is very determined and with our support and his commitment to the training we have no doubt that he’ll complete the challenge.”
Those interested in supporting Mr Waltham’s challenge can visit https://bit.ly/3BzCZxe
Mr Waltham explained why he chose to support the two organisations: “It has been an incredibly tough couple of years for so many people.
“With the ongoing pandemic, the cost of living rising at such a rapid pace, and the current Ukraine crisis, it is likely that even more people will be struggling to stay positive.
“Supporting a charity that aims to give help and support to anybody who is suffering from a mental health problem seems very fitting.
“We also chose to support FOPPS as Strutt & Parker Pangbourne have worked closely with them for around one year now.
“It is important for every child to have the best possible start and FOPPS work hard to ensure that Pangbourne Primary School can provide this for their pupils.”
