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Last night the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Rowing welcomed representatives of Tideway to Westminster, and received an update on the project and its plans to help launch Regatta London.

Three-time Olympic gold medallist Andrew Triggs Hodge made a presentation to MPs, Peers, honorary and associate members focusing on the work that the Tideway is doing to clean up the River Thames by building a 25km super sewer under the river.

There was also a detailed discussion of Regatta London, a challenge event being proposed for 29 September which would see participants row, kayak, canoe or SUP over 12 miles through London. As well as raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity, the event would aim to celebrate the river and the environment though sport.

Speaking after the meeting, All-Party Parliamentary Group for Rowing Co-Chair Lord Thomas of Gresford said “it was a pleasure to welcome Andrew to Parliament and to hear about the work that Tideway is doing to reconnect London with the River Thames, particularly through rowing.

“We look forward to supporting Tideway’s efforts, including the plans for the Regatta London event in September which would provide a unique opportunity for people to celebrate the river and raise money for charity.”

Andrew Triggs Hodge said: “A key element of the Tideway project is reconnecting people with the River Thames, and we have a number of initiatives, including the proposed Regatta London event, which are focused on engaging people with the river, getting involved in sports and activities they haven’t tried before, and having fun.

“It is vital that we clean up the River Thames for future generations, which is important for those who use the river for sports including rowing, but also that we promote the opportunities that the river provides to take part is sport and leisure activities.

“Tideway looks forward to working closely with a range of stakeholders, including the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Rowing, to ensure that we make the most of the opportunities to engage people with the River Thames.”

For more information on the Tideway project visit www.tideway.london.

For more information on Regatta London visit www.regatta.london.

Last night (12 February) the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Rowing heard from representatives of the AHOY Centre in Westminster.

MPs and Peers were joined by honorary and associate members of the Group, and heard about the AHOY Centre’s work to provide opportunities for disadvantaged and at-risk youths to take part in water-based activities.

The AHOY Centre works with hundreds of young people every year, offering opportunities and training. All activities and programmes are focused on teaching transferable and employable life skills as well as providing opportunities for British Rowing and Royal Yachting Association national qualifications.

Speaking after the meeting, All-Party Parliamentary Group for Rowing Co-Chair, Lord Thomas of Gresford, said “it was a pleasure to welcome representatives of the AHOY Centre to Parliament, and to hear about how they utilise watersport activity, including rowing, as an educational tool for children and adults.

“I congratulate all involved with the centre on their efforts, and hope that they are able to further expand their work in the coming years.”

AHOY Centre Challenge Fundraiser Dan O’Sullivan said “the AHOY Centre was founded in 2004, and since then has provided hundreds of adults and young people with opportunities to learn life skills and gain qualifications through watersport activities.

“Rowing is a significant component of the AHOY Centre’s work, and our rowing challenges generate around 60% of funding for our projects.

“We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to address the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Rowing, and look forward to continuing to work with partners to develop opportunities for even more adults and young people.”

For more information on the AHOY Centre, visit www.ahoy.org.uk.