The Big Row has Started

Changing Lives Together Fund now open

Love Rowing and British Rowing are pleased to announce that the Changing Lives Together Fund is now open for applications.

This new partnership fund is designed to harness the power of rowing to change lives, supporting projects that open up participation, remove barriers and help more people access the physical, mental and social benefits of the sport.

Who can apply

We welcome applications from:

Rowing clubs
Schools and colleges
Community organisations
Partnerships working to make rowing more inclusive

What the fund supports

We are particularly interested in projects that:

Reach underrepresented communities
Increase inclusive and adaptive rowing opportunities
Help people start and continue rowing
Build sustainable participation programmes

Grants are expected to range from £500 to over £10,000, depending on the scale and ambition of the project.

Support for applicants

We know applying for funding can feel daunting, so guidance, examples and drop-in sessions are available to help you shape your proposal.

👉 Find out more and submit an Expression of Interest:
Changing Lives Together Fund information and application

We are hosting two online sessions, one at 19:30 on Wednesday 11 February and one at 12:30 on Thursday 12 February. These drop-in sessions provide an opportunity for questions and will be held via Google Meet, with joining links shared below. We welcome anyone considering an application to attend. These can be booked by following the link above.

Starting in the final week of the Paralympic Games in Paris, Love Rowing’s The Big Row will cover a total distance of 15,241 km, finishing in Los Angeles, the host of the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics.

Schools, clubs, businesses and individuals (both seasoned rowers and new!) are taken on this collective epic fundraising challenge event, supporting inclusive and accessible rowing projects across the UK. The ultimate goal is to get more young people from deprived communities and disabled people involved in rowing, changing lives for the better. An amazing legacy to the success of the Team GB Rowing and Para-Rowing Team!

The mission clearly resonates with recent Team GB Rowing Squad gold medalists who have shown their support with good luck messages to participants – much to the excitement of those who hold them up as role models in the sport! Messages have been shared from Charlie Elwes and Sholto Carnegie (Olympic Champions in the Men’s eight), Imogen Grant and Emily Craig (Olympic Champions in the Lightweight women’s double sculls), and Georgie Brayshaw (Olympic Champion in the Women’s quadruple sculls).

What is The Big Row?

Hundreds of participants will be taking part globally in The Big Row between 5 -8 September 2024. Those taking part will be rowing on land or water (or both!), logging their kilometres through the Resport app – where you’ll be able to watch the Big Row progress from Paris, rowing through the Panama Canal to LA.

Participants can also take part in live indoor rowing sessions hosted by Zoom Ergos, a live video workout platform with sessions hosted by well-known rowers. Fantastic and fun sessions will be led by Olympic Champion Grace Prendergast, Olympic silver medallists Cath Bishop and Invictus Games coaches.

Local rowing regattas will also be taking part, with Cambridge Autumn Regatta and Worcester Regatta adding their kilometres to the effort.

The Big Row is a key activity as part of The Great British Rowing Weekend – a British Rowing initiative, opening the doors of rowing clubs to the community following the inspiration of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Big Row 2024 is supported by the Dry Robe, who are providing a grant donation and a staff team who are also contributing to the kilometers.