Run for Robin

In December 2022, we lost our dear friend, partner, brother, son and rowing coach Robin Dowell. Robin was a larger than life character, always taking on new challenges and encouraging others to do the same. To channel Robin’s spirit and to celebrate him, we thought it would be fitting to challenge ourselves (mainly a group of rowers more suited to water than land) and start pounding the pavements and enter a half marathon. The Switzerland Marathon Light is a half marathon event that’s course is around Lake Sarnen in Switzerland, where Robin lived and coached, and where he was the happiest he had ever been. We have chosen to raise money for London Youth Rowing, a charity that channels the core beliefs and values that Robin held. Please see below for more information about the amazing work they do to get children from all backgrounds into rowing.

A list of our runners:

• Jeannine Gmelin
• Megan Dowell
• Mark Shimmin
• Hannah Shimmin
• Harry Shimmin
• Matthew Shimmin
• Andy Pantelides
• Alex Robertson
• Angus Warren
• Gaby Halloran
• Ellie Lewis
• Jack Beaumont
• Helen O’Riordan
• Vince Barrelet

A little about London Youth Rowing:

LYR was founded 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.

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.

The LYR Mission

• Encouraging disadvantaged young people to be active, and improve their physical, social and mental wellbeing
• Helping develop crucial life skills, which are necessary for success in the classroom and the workplace
• Enabling young people to participate in the unique sport - indoor and on-water rowing - across London, regardless of background, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, disability or ability
• Nurturing determination and success in a new generation of rowers