On the weekend of the 13th & 14th of September North Bondi came together, joining 61 teams across Sydney for the Gotcha4Life 24-Hour Row, raising mental-health awareness and funds while showing our community what it looks like to row, cheer and look out for one another. The Club hummed with the sound of rowing machines and rubbish chat. With 2 rowing machines onsite going at all times, North Bondi members swapped shifts, logged metres and shared stories – all for the simple, powerful message that it’s okay to ask for help and to talk about what you’re going through.
This was about more than keeping the rowers moving. It was about building skills, reducing stigma and giving the next generation of kids the tools to cope with life’s challenges. It was about making sure anyone in a tough spot knows they’re not alone and there are people, and services, ready to listen.
Some stats from the weekend:
- Total funds raised: $15,500
- Number of North Bondi participants (rowers + volunteers): 90
- Total rowing time logged by the club: 49 hours (e.g., cumulative hours the machines were in use)
- Total distance rowed by the team: 614,885 metres / 614.89 km
- Number of shifts covered: 96 30-minute shifts covered.
Honourable mentions:
- Top fundraiser: Cooper Rogers – $8400!!!
- Volunteer MVPs: Ben Shephard – Not a single wink of sleep!
- Young kings: Harvey Cooke – 4 years old.
- Significant donors: Ben Griffiths ($5k), Geoff Wilson ($5k), Wilson Asset Management ($2.5k), multiple $250 donors
- Hype squad: Cooper Rogers and crew early Sunday morning.
Thanks to every rower, donor and supporter who dropped in for a chat. Remember to check in on your mates, and we’ll see you next year with more ergs going and more money raised!
