DOCKLANDS ADDED TO RALPHH’S GROWING LIST OF BENEFICIARIES

RALPHH has played a useful part in enhancing safeguarding for the unexpected at Royal Docks Watersports.

The charity has gifted a defibrillator at a centre used by three dragon boat and 16 rowing clubs, as well as being utilised by sea scots. This has been made possible thanks to a significant donation to the charity from the Worshipful Company of Plaisterers, headquartered in the City of London.

On the east side of the capital, in an area once humming with the noise from the echoes of past ships being loaded and unloaded, the Watersports centre sits on the side of Royal Albert Dock, opposite the water from London City Airport. Royal Docks Watersports is itself part of the Royal Albert Trust charity and among many events hosts the annual Poplar Regatta. It is also the location for the annual Great Britain v France Junior Rowing International and in 2026 will host the 2026 Home International Regatta. More immediate preparations are well advanced for the Docklands Head on the first Sunday in November, starting at the EXCEL Centre and finishing just beyond the Sir Steve Redgrave Bridge, which forms part of the North Circular Road.  

In addition to rowing, the Royal Albert Dock provides the location for outrigger canoeing, whilst in the nearby Royal Victoria Dock various sailing events take place, with Royal Docks Waterports being an accredited centre for Royal Yachting Association training courses. Powerboat training courses are held in Victoria Dock, whilst the company Atlantic Pacific make use of the Royal Albert Dock for training in search and rescue techniques.

Chief Executive of Royal Docks Watersports is Simon Goodey, who has been in this role for the past 5 years and working for the charity for 25 years. He is also one of the country’s foremost authorities in para-rowing and other para-water sports. This includes being part of the World Rowing Para-Coach Education Advisory Panel, working alongside the British Paralympic Association.  

Simon (centre) was delighted to receive the RALPHH gift from Garth Manger (right), Clerk to The Worshipful Company of Plaisterers. He was joined in the picture by Sue Spurling who as well as being one of 400 members of the prestigious livery company, made the introduction of RALPHH as a worthwhile charity that deserved support.  

This latest RALPHH gift represents the 70^th defibrillator gifted or part-funded for sporting clubs, with rowing being the leading sport across a wide range of clubs either based on the water or land.