Established in 1894, Staines Boat Club operates as a Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) and offers a variety of rowing activities for leisure rowers of all ages.
The boat club is community-focused and regularly works in partnership with charities, provides an extensive school programme offering free sessions to local state schools, and has been recognised by British Rowing as an example of best practice in engaging non-rowers to the sport.
Cala Homes, which has developments in Imber Riverside in East Molesey, launched the Cala Community Bursary in Surrey in February and invited organisations, charities and groups in the area to apply for a share of £13,000 to help fund projects that make a difference in the community.
Staines Boat Club was chosen as a recipient of the bursary, with money going towards the purchase of equipment for the new community space.
This year, the Community Bursary scheme has awarded a total of £109,000 to 117 good causes across the UK.
A further 200 causes have previously benefited from the scheme, with over £200,000 awarded to various initiatives since 2017.
Jill Corless, Treasurer at Staines Boat Club, said: “Since the club’s original boat house burnt down in 1950 and a temporary structure was erected in 1951, the club has been fundraising for many years to replace it. Phase one of the project, which oversees the structure of the building, was completed but we didn’t have sufficient funds to kit out the community space with equipment.
“We would like to say a huge thank you to Cala Homes. With this generous donation we have been able to purchase new equipment for the community space including gym mats, hand weights, bands and an ergo machine. This space is open to local non-profit organisations as well as our own members to keep active, build friendships, reduce loneliness and improve physical and mental wellbeing.”
Alison Deakin, Sales and Marketing Director at Cala Homes (Thames), said: “We are always committed to supporting local communities in which we build, and we’re delighted that the Community Bursary scheme is able to support organisations like Staines Boat Club. The Boat Club does an amazing job with supporting local schools, charities and organisations, and we look forward to seeing how the new facilities benefit the local community.”
For further information on Staines Boat Club, visit www.stainesboatclub.co.uk/.
For further information on Cala Homes and its developments, visit www.cala.co.uk.
