Lakeland Rowing Club benefits from United Utilities Legacy Fund

Lakeland Rowing Club in Cumbria is celebrating the addition of two new sculling boats to its fleet thanks to the generous support from the United Utilities Legacy Fund.

On Wednesday 1 August 2018, Lakeland Rowing Club named and launched the first of two new sculling boats from its new site on the Isthmus, near Keswick. The new boat was named "John Knox" after its founder member and club president John Knox who has developed the club since it was founded in April 2007. The club has now 98 members including 32 junior members from Keswick School and Cockermouth School and continues to grow.

Ian McCoy, Cumbria Stakeholder Manager of United Utilities North West, commented "United Utilities would like to thank Lakeland Rowing Club for this opportunity. I think calling the boat 'John Knox' is very apt. John has created this fantastic legacy at Lakeland Rowing Club and United Utilities are acknowledging and supporting this further by enabling the purchase of the new boats.”

Chris Pratt, Chairman of Lakeland Rowing Club commented “Thank you very much United Utilities for their generous funding of two new boats, the first of which we are launching today. The smiles on the faces of our enthusiastic juniors, whether training or competing, will be testament enough to the benefits of your grant.”

The legacy scheme is part of a crucial infrastructure project across one the most environmentally sensitive parts of the UK that will see West Cumbria connected to the rest of the regional water network via a major new pipeline from Thirlmere to West Cumbria.

The Cumbria Legacy Fund is open to applications from community groups which provide activities that benefit people or the environment in the Allerdale and Copeland areas. Successful bids can expect to receive a community grant of up to £10,000 or a strategic grant of up to £30,000.

Funding is available from 2018 to 2020 and the grants will be allocated in four phases across each year.