Chester-le-Street Amateur Rowing Club (ARC) has been fundraising to buy two new boats for its members.
The club, which is based at the Riverside Complex, received a £5,880 contribution from Durham County Council’s Chester-le-Street Area Action Partnership (AAP).
Councillors Julie Scurfield, Bill Moist, Karen Fantarrow, and Simon Henig each contributed £1,000 from their neighbourhood budgets.
Councillor Bill Moist also gave an extra £4,499 to help buy a third boat for adult rowers.
Michael Wilkes, Chester-le-Street and District AAP coordinator, said: “As one of the oldest rowing clubs in the North East, Chester-le-Street Rowing Club has become a real community asset, helping generations of people in County Durham discover and become part of the world of rowing.
“Therefore, we were delighted to help support the club in purchasing some new boats for its members.”
The club has trained many talented rowers, including Olympic medallist Lauren Irwin.
One of the new boats has been named in her honour.
Lauren won bronze at last year’s games as part of Great Britain’s Women’s Eight.
She said: “I couldn’t be more honoured to have a boat named after me at Chester-le-Street ARC.
“I joined the club when I was 14 and it is where I took my first rowing strokes, eager to learn and make new friends.
“I hope my journey can inspire the next generation at the club to follow its dreams.”
Another boat has been named after 19-year-old club member Harvey Burford, who represented Great Britain at the Junior World Championships in Canada, finishing fourth overall.
Both Lauren and Harvey are winners of the Henley Royal Regatta, a world-famous sporting event.
Harvey is currently the only junior from Chester-le-Street to win, whereas Lauren is a serial winner of the event in the women’s races.
Arran Lewcock, captain of the Chester-le-Street ARC, said: “We are incredibly thankful for the ongoing support shown to the club by Chester-le-Street AAP and our local councillors.
“Both are so heavily invested in the success of a local club run entirely by volunteers.
“These boats really cement Chester-le-Street’s ability to continue to provide top-level athletes from our junior programme.
“It is such a bonus to the rowers having people such as Lauren and Harvey flying the flag for the club and showing them anything can be achieved from our club.
“As the rowing season is well underway and national trials are already taking place, we are hoping to have three more juniors following in Harvey and Lauren’s footsteps with international selection in 2025.”
