Sophie, 4th from left at the Karen Betts Gift of Confidence Awards in April
Our current Bader Grant Recipient of the Month, Sophie Harris, has had a busy time lately and it looks as though, with an imminent trip to Italy with the GB Para squad and fellow development squad, things are going to get even busier.
We’re grateful to Sophie for sending us an update of her recent activities and achievements and delighted that she is doing so phenomenally well since her recent amputation. She is an inspiration to all.
Since she last posted, she has been visited by GB coaches from Caversham to oversee her local club, Dart Totnes, and her ongoing training. They saw her complete Ergo (indoor rowing machine) work followed by a Fine Double and then a Fine Single outing. For those, like me, not used to rowing terms, the Amateur Rowing Association supplies the following: “Most clubs will have a variety of boat classes and types and these can be quite mystifying to the new volunteer. The boats normally used for competition are described as ‘fine’. Your club may also have ‘playboats’ for beginners. Fine rowing boats range in size from a single scull (27ft), doubles/pairs (34ft), fours/quads (44ft), to eights/octuples (62 ft). They have to be stored carefully as they are expensive and can be easily damaged.”
On Saturday 21st April, she also took part in the Women’s and the Mixed Quads in the Breakwater Bash, which is a coastal rowing race held at Mayflower Offshore Rowing Club.
Our BGRotM also had the well deserved accolade of being nominated for the Karen Betts Gift of Confidence, which was held in London at the Sanderson. There she met Katie Piper and Alex Lewis as well as the other three inspirational nominees.
I’ve overcome my amputation and I’ve been given my life back. I’m hopefully inspiring others that amputation isn’t all bad. You can have life afterwards. Sophie Harris
A few tweaks carried out by Dorset Orthopaedic have helped Sophie with her new prosthetic rowing leg which should stand her in good stead for her forthcoming trip to Varese Italy with the GB Para Squad and Fellow Development Squad.
We’re delighted to have been able to feature Sophie as our latest Bader Grant Recipient of the Month and very grateful for her input and hope that she will continue to keep us updated as we’ve no doubt that with her determination and commitment she is going on to great things with her rowing career. We are proud to be associated with this inspirational woman and to have been able to support her on her journey with a Bader Grant.
If you’d like to apply for a Bader Grant to help you to achieve a personal goal, please use the link below to check out the information on our Bader Grant page where you’ll also find access to an application form.
Useful Links:
- The Mayflower Offshore Rowing Club: http://mayfloweroffshorerowingclub.org
- The Karen Betts Gift of Confidence: http://www.karenbetts.com/gift-of-confidence.php
- Previous BGRotM Post: /bader-grants-news/meet-latest-bader-grant-recipient-month-sophie-harris
- Bader Grants Information (you will find an “Apply” link at the top left of the page which will take you to the application form): /bader-grants