A WARRINGTON rower will be taking on a 100km challenge with his childhood friend to support charities following the death of his brother in 2016.

Quinlan Dunne will be rowing with Charlie Ford to raise funds for the River Reeves Foundation, Child Bereavement UK and Warrington Youth Rowing.

He lost his 19 year-old brother River Reeves who was travelling with his band Viola Beach and manager Craig Tarry when they were all tragically killed in a car accident in Sweden.

The Warrington Rowing Club boys want to want to emphasise the positive that can come out of tragedy by celebrating River and his bandmates’ musical achievements by raising funds.

River Reeves Foundation provides bursaries and support for disadvantaged young people, helping them create successful futures within the performing and visual arts.

In the aftermath of River’s death, Quinlan and his younger siblings received excellent support from Child Bereavement UK.

Warrington Youth Rowing works with schools and rowing clubs across the north west and helps disadvantaged students row once a week as part of their school curriculum.

Quinlan has been closely involved with the charity, helping raise awareness of how grief can affect the lives of young people and by sharing his own experiences helping to signpost the excellent support available.

 

Quinlan rowing in the boat on its first outing at the club when he was 14 with River’s name on the side of the boat next to him

Quinlan rowing in the boat on its first outing at the club when he was 14 with River’s name on the side of the boat next to him

 

They will take on the challenge as part of the Centurion Challenge. It is a new event from London Youth Rowing where clubs in the UK get involved to support a range of community projects close to the hearts of the clubs getting involved.

Members of each club will attempt to row 100km.

And Quinlan’s dad, Ben Dunne, is a big fan of the challenge that they are taking on.

“I remember Quinlan and Charlie’s first rowing session together when they were 12. “It was shortly after we’d lost River in the accident and to think that five years later they’d be rowing 100km on the same stretch of the Mersey supporting the foundation set up River’s name is amazing. “He’d definitely be giving them both a big thumbs up,” he said.

Ben labels the opportunity to help the charities as ‘special’.He continued: “Rowing has helped Quinlan through some difficult times, not least the recent pandemic, so for him to be able to support not only the River Reeves Foundation but also CBUK and WYR is a pretty special opportunity.

“I think if it had been 200Km Quin and Charlie would still have been up for it.”

In 2017 Warrington Rowing Club named their new coxed four ‘Viola Beach’ with the names of the four band members next to each rowing seat. The band’s manager Craig Tarry has his name next to the cox seat.

Right is a photo of Quinlan rowing in the boat on its first outing at the club when he was 14 with River’s name on the side of the boat next to him.

The fundraising day will feature a couple of local bands, BBQ and 100km finish line fireworks, tickertape and music.

Invited guests will include Warrington Youth Rowing’s ambassadors Rugby League's Mike Cooper and Tokyo Olympic rower Lucy Glover. MPs, the mayor and many other guests will also be dropping by.

Quinlan and Charlie will be rowing the 100km on September 12 at Warrington Rowing Club. It begins at 5am and is estimated to finish at 5pm.

Donations to help them towards the target can be made here.