A leap of faith at rowing club event

The Auction of Promises on Friday evening at the De La Warr Pavilion was given a publicity boost when rower Matt Hellier was interviewed on BBC South East Today’s outside broadcast, which highlighted Next Wave development including the new boat house.

He was able to talk about the next step for this highly competitive and successful club and its hopes for the future.

Some half an hour later guests started arriving for the auction greeted by live music by the Chandeliers, with some 250 visitors filling the auditorium.

Champion oarsman Mark Mitchell was first up and took the opportunity to talk about the club’s potential. He was followed up on stage by auctioneer Jenni Freeborn who began the offical auction with the first lot selling at over £70, having been valued between £30-40.

The most impressive sale of the night turned out to be the naming of a racing boat which went for more than £400 but almost as appealing must have been the musicians who offered to auction themselves off and added an extra £105 to the fund.

The night ended with the announcement of raising £1,200 on raffle tickets, and naked calendars featuring Bexhill’s rowers, with £8,705 from the auction itself.

Saturday saw the rowing club’s sponsored bungee jump at Galley Hill which was delayed because of problems with the crane on order and a different one having to be brought in.

Matt said: “Every jumper was extremely patient and we would like to highlight that we were extremely grateful to so many people being so flexible.

“All in all 65 people jumped including myself for the first time, feels like the closest you could get to dying whilst having fun!

“Everyone left with a smile on their faces, and between the barbecue, drinks and calendars, it raised £3,000.”

• Bexhill Rowing Club is reminding all those still collecting sponsorship money to send it in by September 1, at which point it will announce who has won the sat nav.