On Saturday 16th January, Tom Wilkinson from the GB rowing team took to the stage along with Hugh McLeod from the Snowdon Award Scheme charity to promote the forthcoming Snowdon Rowing Challenge.

They were kindly invited along by Concept2, who will be providing the ergos (rowing machines) for the Snowdon challenge and were demonstrating their capabilities, including the technology that enables the rowers to race against each other.

Hugh – on the big screen!	Tom’s interview

Tom is currently nursing a shoulder injury, which is why he wasn’t in South Africa training with the national squad. Sadly, this also meant he was unable to take part in the mini-challenge to row against members of the public, so Alex Davidson, President of the University College London Boat Club stepped-in to take on challengers.

Tom said “It’s been fantastic to be here at the Boat Show and support the Snowdon Rowing Challenge. Many current and past members of the GB squad, including Olympic Champions Andy Hodge and Jonny Searle, will be taking part in the Challenge, and I’m sure it’s going to be great fun!”

Spectators were very warm to the concept of physically supreme athletes taking part in a challenge to help disabled students and were urged to check out the Scheme’s website for more information (www.snowdonawardscheme.org.uk).

Alex takes on a challenger	With huge support from Hilary and Tom!

Hugh received an award from the Snowdon Award Scheme when he was an undergraduate at UCL and coxing for UCLBC. Now Chair of the Snowdon Alumni Group, Hugh added “The Challenge is going to be a spectacular way to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of Lord Snowdon coxing Cambridge to victory in the 1950 Boat Race”.

Alex said ”I am delighted to support Lord Snowdon’s charity, and help students with disabilities gain life-changing opportunities to fulfil their potential. We’ve had a great time today, and I hope that the University of London team win the Snowdon Rowing Challenge in March!”