LONDON YOUTH ROWING (LYR)
LYR was founded by Jim Downing in 2004 in the hope that young people across London would have access to an otherwise traditionally niche sport and in turn help the rowing community become a more diverse, more inclusive environment.Originally named, ‘Row East London’, their first employee was hired in 2005.
They went on to launch the National Junior Indoor Rowing Championships in 2007 and officially received charitable status in 2008. Today, LYR employs 10 full-time coaches, multiple part-time coaches and office staff to accommodate working with around 10,000 young people in schools, youth clubs and rowing clubs across London each year.
- Active Row: flagship programme, focuses on increasing activity in schools. Involves 70 secondary schools across 12 London boroughs, providing rowing machines and full time coaches to support after-school rowing activity.
- Breaking Barriers: Combines learning to row with life skills mentoring.
- Excluded Students Programme: Works with students who have been excluded from mainstream schooling, in the hope that rowing can enrich their lives and future prospects.
LYR also work with two established rowing clubs, running the junior rowing programmes full time. LYR believe rowing changes lives and should be available to all, regardless of background, gender, ethnicity or otherwise.
THE FAWCETT SOCIETY
The Fawcett Society is the UK’s leading membership charity campaigning for gender equality and women’s rights at work, at home and in public life. Their vision is a society in which women and girls in all their diversity are equal and truly free to fulfill their potential creating a stronger, happier, better future for us all.
They've been advancing women’s equality since 1866 when at just 19, Millicent Fawcett collected signatures on a petition for women’s votes. She went on to lead the constitutional suffrage campaign and made this cause her lifetime’s work, securing equal voting rights 62 years later.
Today they continue her legacy of fighting sexism and gender inequality through hard-hitting research. Their national campaigns shape the debate and drive change.
