The Vikings Fund
Background
The first priority of the Vikings is to encourage members to row under Viking colours and to provide them with equipment and financial support when they do. That priority continues. However, as you may know, over the last ten years the Vikings have also given financial support to Rowing within the school, with some £2500 annually. Examples of that support are the provision of a marquee at the National Schools Regatta, the funding of school bursaries to those boys who may need them to attend Easter Rowing camps, furniture for the Club Room at the Lake Boathouse and other items of top-up equipment. These the ECBC appreciates and in turn it loans boats to Vikings for recreational outings for the Old Blades regatta and for more serious events.
Eton Rowing is on a high. Wet-bob numbers are up, with wins at all levels in outside races. In 2005 the 1st VIII won the Triple and in 2007 again won the Championship at National Schools. The 2nd and 3rd VIIIs won gold medals there in 2006 and 2007 and Colts, within their age groups, have won five gold medals over the last five years. This success in depth says much for Eton’s coaching.
The Challenge
At the Vikings Dinner in September 2007, The Provost set something of a challenge. He explained that as a money hungry sport, costing annually some £300 000 to support 250 Wet-bobs, the rowing budget is nearly as much as that for all other sports combined. Not surprisingly rowing now needs additional funding. Most other rowing schools benefit substantially from the financial support of their Viking equivalents. The Provost hoped that Vikings might see their way to making a significantly increased contribution to the Eton College Boat Club. He cited as examples, the £350 000 already raised by OE Tennis players to improve tennis facilities. The Ramblers are also moving towards making regular contributions to Cricket within the school. These funds will fit with and count towards the £50m, the New Foundation Campaign for Eton. As such, Viking donations will attract maximum tax relief.
The Eton Lake and Boat House is a magnificent and essential facility but an expensive one. Gravel extraction covered the cost of the Lake but that of the Boathouse was funded by the College. Use of the Lake at the 2012 Olympics will be a splendid advertisement for Eton and its contribution to the outside world, but it will not be a significant money earner. Eton itself is not as wealthy as many suppose. The existing Endowment, Eton’s investment in property and shares, provides only a little over ten per cent of operating costs.
Vikings Action
The club has taken up the Provost’s challenge. At the AGM on St Andrew’s Day 2007 Alexander Lindsay (WWW ’55) President, in the Chair, it was decided to set up a fund raising Sub-Committee of the Vikings Executive. The members are: Mark Wolfson (GWN ’62); John Drake (FJRC, AGR ’69); Christopher Walkinshaw (RPCF ’83); Edward Millais (PSTW ’00); Jimmy Scragg (Eton Master i/c Rowing).
The Campaign Plan
The aim is to create an income stream of £40-50 000 per annum for the ECBC. It is already understood by Eton and by the Committee that this Viking money should not become a substitute for existing finances. What it will provide is a cushion to ensure that all Eton Wet-bobs, from beginners in F block to those in the 2nd and 1st VIII are provided with all the pleasures and opportunities of boating that we enjoyed in our days on the river. Budget constraints may bite from time to time and if so, your contributions will hold the line. Our hope is that Vikings will participate by:
1. Regular donations, preferably by standing order, in addition to the existing subscriptions that many, but not all, Vikings pay;
2. Substantial capital gifts for specific purposes;
3. Gifts to create an endowment fund.
The uses for your money
Examples of the use to which such Viking funds might be put are:
a) The provision of a new VIII and oars every year. In turn this would enable the lower VIIIs to be better boated on the pass down principal.
b) Ensuring that the small boat fleet and IVs are replaced in a timely fashion. Here is where the joys of wet-bobbing need to thrive, which for some will lead to elite competition, for others it will be a pleasure in itself. Queen’s Eyot still beckons on summer afternoons.
c) Funds to employ outside, part-time coaches in the summer Half to cover the large number of boys rowing in VIIIs at this time of year. The increase in regatta competition, particularly in VIIIs but in other boats too, is a major change from Eton boating as older Vikings knew it.
d) Additional bursaries to ensure that the personal costs of rowing are, if necessary, covered in the case of needy boys.
e) The boats for the Fourth of June Procession, as well as the uniforms, require careful repair and occasional replacement.
f) Other ECBC requests that may occur from time to time.
An income stream of £50 000 annually may sound a tall order but thanks to generous Vikings, funds are already coming in. The newest VIII on the water, already baptised with an Eton win, has been donated by a trio. Part of that donation was given on the basis that our Club would run a full-blooded fund raising campaign. Another donor has provided a magnificent £25 000 to prime our pumps.
What you can do
None of this will work without the support of many Vikings. The immediate need is to enlist a cohort of active advocates. These men will not only contribute themselves but also be prepared to contact their Viking friends personally and ask them to do the same. Whether or not you wish to become an Active Advocate, do participate by making a contribution, large or small to the Eton Vikings Fund.
To make your contribution, please contact the Development Office or complete and return a Vikings Fund Donation Form.
Just as it was in the boat, ‘It is no good leaving it to the other fellow, we all need to get stuck in and take the weight off his blade.’ That way, this Viking effort can be a winner.
Mark Wolfson (GWM ’1952)
John Drake (FJRC, AGR ’69)
Christopher Walkinshaw (RPCF ’83)
Edward Millais (PSTW ’00)