The Boat Race - Becky

Welcome to my fundraising page for UK Sepsis Trust and Fulham Reach Boat Club (FRBC).
On Thursday 2nd April I will be the first ever arms only disability rower to row The Championship Boat Race Course on the Thames in London. It will be just one year after first learning to row at Fulham Reach Boat Club. The famous Championship Course is 4 miles, 374 yards or 6.8 km long. It stretches between Putney and Mortlake on the River Thames in South West London. About two years ago I suffered life threatening sepsis, after  repeatedly being dismissed when trying to get what felt like a straight forward infection treated. It took over my body with extreme sweating, muscle pain and I felt like I was going to die.

People often assume sepsis is a life or death battle and that’s it. It is very much a life or death fight. What is often not highlighted is the long rehabilitation and after effects it causes in survivors. It affected my brain for a long time after and multiple parts of my body. I had to learn to speak fluently again, learn to type again and learn to read again. During this time going out into busy or noisy environments was exhausting and often impossible. Even a simple task that many take for granted such as going to a station or crossing the street would be almost impossible. 

During my rehabilitation I was keen to get sport back into my life especially as I had been an international athlete. Returning to my previous competitive sport was not going to be possible owing to spinal complications. It was during my rehabilitation that I got into pulley based rowing. As things improved over time I was keen to  give real rowing a go. 

I came across Fulham Reach Boat Club by chance one day when out along the river and the rest is history! I am now regularly rowing on The Tideway (the tidal stretch of the Thames in London) around work and have been a Pioneer of Accessible fixed seat rowing on the famous Championship Course! So far I am the first fixed seat arms only rower to row on The Championship Course and I hope this will grow over time and expand to other disability communities too. 

FRBC has provided a wonderful and inclusive environment to enable me to thrive. From patient coaching at the start and taking my first ever strokes on the hottest day of 2025 just before The Boat Race. FRBC have  supported my recovery by helping my brain to re-coordinate post sepsis and given me a sport for life.

Rowing enables me to get outside,  enjoy nature and reap all the activity benefits..

I hope that the funds raised will help to bring the joy of rowing to many others across all FRBC’s Charitable work including their Accessible, Boats Not Bars and Youth rowing programmes.

The UK Sepsis Trust supported me at a time when I faced life changing challenges. Challenges that were often not well understood by many Doctors and also across society. Their nurse support line was a vital lifeline to me in the long months of rehabilitation that followed and at a time where a high flying professional was never sure if they would ever get to "return to normal". The community and peer networks that they run also provided me with amazing support. 

Sepsis kills one in five in the UK every hour and 245,000 people are affected by Sepsis in the UK every year. The UK Sepsis Trust provides vital awareness raising work amongst the medical community and public to enable people to spot the signs of Sepsis. Along with support to individuals and families affected by Sepsis.

Having lived at both the start and end of The Boat Race Course I was always gripped by the annual Boat Race. Now I have an amazing opportunity to take on this special Tideway course and to make my own special sporting history while making a difference to two special causes. I can't wait! 

Thank you to all who have got me to here especially my medical team. Thank you to all the volunteers at FRBC who make my rowing possible and to all who will make this special rowing challenge possible. 
It was actually during the filming day for the Fulham Reach Boat Club 2024/25 Impact video that the idea for this boat race challenge was born. I hope you enjoy learning more about Fulham Reach Boat Club and Accessible rowing in the video. 

Thank you for your donation it will help a lot of people.