BOS Gigs are ordinary people who row for health - both physical and mental. However, not everyone has that luxury. So once a year, we do something to raise money for charities that help those less fortunate with their physical and mental health, giving back to our local Burnham area community and beyond.

Last year we competed in the Great River Race on in our gig Jayne Campbell, which many of you will have seen around Burnham. The Great River Race is 35 km up the River Thames from Canary Wharf in the east to Richmond lock in the west under all of London's bridges. 229 boats took part last year and finished 29th, raising £5,000 in the process. This year, we need to go one better on Saturday 21st September 2024. As it is known as the rowing marathon, some of us are also going to run a 42km marathon back to the start the next day (Sunday 22nd).

We are raising money for two local charities - The Somerset NHS Foundation Trust supporting Burnham War Memorial Hospital, and The Farming Community Network a charity that supports mental health and other issues in the rural community.

We are taking two crews of 6 each, plus a cox and a passenger required under the race rules - a ladies crew and a men's crew, and the gigs Jayne Campbell and Avocet. The next day, three people, two of whom have never run a marathon before, and the third only did their first marathon at 64, will run back to the start along the Thames and criss crossing over the bridges to make up the official marathon distance.

To support us, please donate to our JustGiving page and help us raise even more than last year.

Separately, BOS Gigs welcomes anyone who wants to join us and start rowing - we give three trial rows. Contact Julie Baker

The Somerset NHS Foundation Trust raise funds to help make a difference to the county wide NHS projects that fall outside of the two main district hospitals in our area. They will be sending funds we raise to our local hospital in Burnham.

Burnham Hospital has offered care and support to our local community for over 100 years.

Many of us will have used the hospitals services or know of someone who has. Burnham Hospital will have a special place in many hearts for the care shown to loved ones both past and present.

Money raised will go towards helping the hospital to continue its invaluable services to our wonderful community.

The Farming Community Network (FCN) is a voluntary organisation and charity that supports farmers and families within the rural and farming communities. Our volunteers will “walk with” anyone who seeks support and help them find a positive way through their problems.

Through a partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support we are working together to better

understand health inequalities in rural communities, challenge barriers to cancer care and to strengthen support for people affected by cancer.

In addition to local groups of volunteers, FCN runs a confidential national helpline (03000 111 999, open 7am-11pm every day of the year) and e-helpline help@fcn.org.uk