Keep up-to-date with the latest news from the Foundation in 2023
Welcome
Team Bowra!
Welcome! 2023 was a busy year. Team Bowra have completed gruelling challenges, including SWIM2RECOVERY hosted some great events, and introduced several new activities for everyone to enjoy. As part of the Bowra Family, we hope that you enjoy this newsletter, celebrating the achievements of the Bowra Foundation's forth year!
Mark Update
“I would first like to thank all those that have helped the Bowra Foundation during 2022. It was a landmark year with the opening of our partnership with South Coast Adventures in Hamworthy Park. This has given us a much needed meeting place to deliver our cycling and waterborne activities. Indeed I have witnessed on more than one occasion tears of joy as beneficiaries have cycled for the first time.
In September, I took on the Ride Across Britain with some of my friends. In total we covered 980 miles in 9 days travelling from Lands End to John O Groats. I am sincerely grateful for all the generous donations which in the end totalled just over £30,000.
The activity programme we are able to offer continues to grow and during the Winter months, we have been able to include Golf, Indoor and outdoor bowls, indoor curling. The team is always looking for new opportunities to expand what we can offer.
I have been able to continue to distribute Bowra Bags to those that need them.
I hope that everyone has a prosperous 2023.
Mark Bowra – Founder”
Events Update
Last year we hosted some amazing challenges including the Ride Across Britain. As well as this, Mark and Bowra Buddies took part in two Superhero events. Donning their capes, they took on the Marvel Superhero Tri in the summer and the Winter Wonderwheels courses just last month.
Lester Brunt and SJP hosted another really successful golf day, raising vital funds for Bowra Foundation, and bringing joy to everyone that attended! Thank you for your continued support, we love working with you.
2022 also saw the return of familiar activities for veterans and buddies, alongside some new ones. South Coast Adventures hosted Bowra Foundation, providing a setting for kayaking, SUP and triking around Hamworthy Park and walkie-talkies continued to bring people together out in the fresh air. Our Events Coordinator, Frank Melia, also introduced Bowra Bowls, indoor curling, karting and land sailing for those with a stronger stomach! With the support of JP Morgan, Mark worked with Deej at Ferndown Forest Golf Club to bring adaptive golf to Bowra Buddies.
Bowra Foundation has thoroughly enjoyed hosting buddies and veterans at each and every activity, and we can’t wait to see what 2023 brings. Thank you for bringing your A-game and smiles to all our activities.
2023 looks set to be an amazing year, with new and exciting challenges to be announced, and we can't wait to include you in our journey.
Achievements
From Mark being awarded runner-up at the Soldiering on Awards (a winner in our eyes!) to Team Bowra expanding, it's all been happening!
Last summer, Team Bowra welcomed an Events Coordinator, Frank, who has been doing a great job of organising the troops and introducing exciting new activities, and our Operations Coordinator, Sam, the glue holding us all together. We are also very excited to announce a third new role to Team Bowra. Our Welfare & Engagement officer, David officially joined the team in January. Join us in welcoming him into the team.
As part of a brand review, we are also looking to develop our website and have updated our logo. More information to follow soon.
2022 also marked a year of progress with kit, earlier in the year a container was delivered and installed at Hamworthy Park, allowing us to store equipment securely for the activities hosted by South Coast Activities.
Bowra Bag
At the time of publishing, the Bowra Foundation had provided 134 Bowra Bags to stroke survivors, aiding them in their rehabilitation process. We have also started receiving testimonials from some of you that have received bags, and those with loved ones supporting stroke survivors and it has been such a humbling process. Thank you so much, and to anyone wishing to send a testimonial, the link is here.
We appreciate your kind words and feedback. Work continues to ensure we are providing the best possible kit we can in the most efficient way.
Ambassadors
We would like to shout out to our wonderful ambassadors for their continued support of the Bowra Foundation and everything it strives to achieve. We are very grateful for your backing. Here are just a few of the amazing pictures from 2022.
Testimonials
We work hard to provide a safe, exciting and engaging environment for our veterans and buddies, but without feedback, we can only do so much. That’s why it's so important (and nice!) to hear feedback. Here are just a few of the wonderful testimonials we have received this year
"Bowra Foundation really helped me for taking and chat with other people." - veteran, stroke survivor
"It has opened my life to another start again I love the support I receive from all the Bowra guys"- Bowra Buddy
"(Bowra Foundation) Enabled me to try new activities in a friendly supportive environment" - stroke survivor
Thank you
Finally, the biggest thank you to everyone that has supported Bowra Foundation in 2022. Your time, support, money, and love are very much appreciated, without you we couldn’t do what we love doing, and we can't wait for you to be a part of our journey in 2023.
We hope you have enjoyed reading. We'd love to know what you thought!
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