Volunteer Robert honoured at luncheon

British Rowing, the National Governing Body for our sport, honoured Robert Simpson of Ardingly Rowing Club at a Volunteer of the Year Awards luncheon last week held in the Waterman’s Hall, London.
The Thames Region winners with Bob second from left copyright Simon WayThe Thames Region winners with Bob second from left copyright Simon Way
The Thames Region winners with Bob second from left copyright Simon Way

The event was to thank just 31 volunteers from the 25,000 registered rowers in England.

It highlighted the wide range of roles they play, each vital to keeping rowing clubs alive, from regatta management and accounting skills through to coaching others and fundraising, which in Bob’s case also includes transporting boats, repairing equipment and emptying the bin!

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Bob joined Ardingly Rowing Club in its infancy 19 years ago and for all of that time has given his time, enthusiasm and skills to the Club to see it develop and prosper. He is currently Treasurer and Company Director, and his wife, Ros, reports that he spends up to 35 hours a week, all unpaid, working in various ways to keep the Club running smoothly.

Bob still manages to make time to enjoy a row himself, but his greatest joy is seeing his 14 year old grand-daughter, Mai Sussex, learn to love the sport too.

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