Bernie Hollywood OBE on Love Rowing and charity adventures
Ep 8. Most of us have done a little bit of charity fundraising at some point in our lives - we've maybe run a 5K or given up alcohol for a few weeks or completed an erg challenge. Most of us haven't raised £42 million for charity. My guest this week, the amazing Bernie Hollywood OBE, has done just that alongside an incredibly demanding career as a banker. This extraordinarily driven man has run 150 marathons, trekked to both Poles, crossed deserts, and is now planning to row the Atlantic on his own.
Equally importantly, he's just taken up the position of Foundation Manager of Love Rowing - British Rowing's new charitable foundation aimed at increasing diversity and inclusivity in rowing. I was so delighted when Bernie agreed to come on the show as his values align so much with those of Girl on the River, and I was keen to quiz him about exactly what Love Rowing is all about.
In this episode we discuss:
- What motivates Bernie to be such a prolific fundraiser and how it all began
- Why he always refers to his charity challenges as "adventures"
- Bernie's ethos
- Love Rowing - its aims and objectives and how it will work
- How rowing makes a difference in young people's lives
- Bernie's next adventure - the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic challenge
- The innovations Bernie is introducing to his Atlantic row
- Bernie's ambitions to raise £1 million for Love Rowing and the Samaritans
You can find out all about Love Rowing on its website, here, and on Twitter at @LoveRowing_BRCF. All enquiries about Love Rowing and Bernie's fundraising should be directed to info@loverowing.org.
Bernie's website is here.
The British Rowing Inclusive Club Guide that Bernie refers to can be downloaded here.
The artist who is designing the artwork covering Bernie's boat for the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge is Justin Eagleton.
The number for the Samaritans is 116 123 (it's free, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year). They also have a self-help app where you can keep track of how you're feeling, and get recommendations for things you can do to help yourself cope, feel better and stay safe in a crisis.