British Rowing is to launch its new charitable foundation in November.

‘Love Rowing’ aims to help change young people’s lives by giving them the opportunity to experience the unique benefits of rowing through a number of key projects and initiatives.

The foundation will focus on supporting three groups; young people from state schools, people with disabilities and those from disadvantaged communities. Love Rowing will provide grants, guidance and support to rowing clubs and community organisations to help deliver rowing opportunities to more people.

World Championships bronze medallist Josh Bugajski is supporting the new foundation. He grew up on a council estate in Stockport.

He said: “Rowing has had a massive impact on my life and provided me with opportunities I would never have imagined as a youngster. There wasn’t a great deal of expectation on kids where I grew up, and sports like rowing practically don’t exist.

“For me, rowing has given me a focus and allowed me to push myself further than I ever thought possible. It’s exciting to see that Love Rowing will be able to open up so many more opportunities for young people to be able to get their first taste of rowing and help them unlock their true potential, as I have been able to do.”

The foundation will officially lauch with a gala dinner at the Cutty Sark in Greenwich, London on November 21, attended by Olympians Sir Matthew Pinsent, Greg Searle, Jess Eddie and Alex Gregory (a founding Trustee of Love Rowing), and Paralympian Lauren Rowles.

Gregory said: “It’s fantastic to have the support of so many of rowing’s legends. For all of us, rowing has had a positive impact on our lives and through Love Rowing we have the opportunity to introduce so many more people to the unique benefits of the sport we all love.

“I am looking forward to sharing my experiences of this amazing sport and the many positive benefits of rowing with guests at the dinner.”

To find out more, visit loverowing.org