Current funds raising and grants received take us to a total of around £215,000 against our (rising) target of £245,000. It's been a phenomenal effort by many, an incredible personal contribution of time and energy by Alison Staite.

If you would like to make a dontation to the Clubhouse Redevelopment Fund please send us an email and we will let you know how you can help.

If you're a tax payer, complete a Gift Aid form and we can reclaim the tax. Download it now, print it off, fill it in and post it.

Got some questions you'd like to ask - see our FAQs sheet.

Many thanks,

The Committee

It's been a very encouraging week on the fundraising front - we have passed the first stage of qualifying for support from the BCU and Sport England. This is great news and the strongest way of saying we're moving in the right direction but it is by no means in the bag.

There is still a great deal more to do to secure this funding. We believe there are another two stages get through and while hopeful, we need to manage expectations accordingly.

We have also had a very encouraging response from other requests, including the Gift Aid forms.

We should acknowledge that if these grants are ultimately successful they will not provide enough funds for the refurbishment. We need to continue with the massive efforts being made by the club to raise funds from all possible avenues.

As ever, the best indication that we are deserving of the support of our community, NGB and the national sporting community is by leading the way.

Many, many thanks to all who have made donations and continue to give their support in time to build a confident future for your Club.

Building work at the Boat House is well underway with the roof off the old club house.

The construction work is simply reinforcing the structure, and building a residential floor above the old Club House.

Once the new floor is complete, we'll have the old shell to refit completely.

And that's going to cost a lot of money.

Fundraising will begin in earnest shortly.

What’s happening to Richmond Canoe Club?

Richmond Canoe Club is the largest club in the UK. A year ago, its 61 year history looked set to come to an end with the termination of the club’s rental lease on its Richmond riverside clubhouse. Ownership had passed from the old Three Pigeon’s brewery to a small property development company and it looked likely that they would repossess and redevelop when the lease expired in 2008. However, the committee entered into negotiations with the developer and struck a deal whereby the club took full freehold ownership of the building in exchange for allowing the developer to build and sell a residential floor on top of the clubhouse. This is the work you can see in progress today. When it is complete the club will return to an empty shell, albeit our own empty shell!

Naturally we are very relieved to have secured the future home of the Club. But we’ve been left with some extremely daunting challenges.

Firstly, while the building work takes place we are homeless. We’ve built temporary racking for canoes and kayaks in Blade House – behind the big green doors – and are using “The Shed” as our Clubhouse.

Secondly, when the residential floor is complete, Richmond Canoe Club will have to completely refurbish the gutted, empty space below. This will involve a complete refit of the gym, changing rooms and showers, kitchen, common room areas, balcony and pontoon.

As a club that is run completely by volunteers this is a huge task. We’re estimating the renovations will cost around £200,000. The Club is applying for grants from funding bodies, exploring routes for external funding from local companies and looking to raise funds with the support of club members through fund raising activities. As the largest canoe club in Britain, we believe Richmond Canoe Club provides an excellent opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy and develop paddlesport, in Richmond and throughout West London. We’ve produced World Champions and Olympians from this Club and will continue to develop the sport.

However, to achieve our goal – a superb new clubhouse facility – we need to raise awareness about the Club, locally, regionally, and nationally, within the paddling world but also in the wider community.

If you can help with a donation please contact us.

Thanks – The Committee