From the 12th - 13th May, the University of Plymouth Fencing Club embarked on a mammoth 24 hour Fence-a-thon to raise money for their selected charity and to fundraise to buy new kit for their members. The Fence-a-thon is a Club tradition but unfortunately due to the pandemic they haven't been able to host the event for the past couple of years. We're delighted to say that they've come back with a bang and absolutely smashed their initial target of £500!
A massive well done from all of us here at UPSU - your hard work, dedication and stamina (!) is a testament to your Club and your members.
Read more about the event below in the Club's own words.
As a club our task was to Fence continuously for 24 hours, all of our members took shifts so that we would always have a pair of Fencers in a bout.
We held the Fence-a-thon to fundraise for the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Ukraine Appeal, as a club we all felt strongly for this charity and were determined to make the event a success because of it. We were also fundraising for kit, as the money would be split 50/50 between the DEC Ukraine Appeal and our Club.
The 24-Hour Fence-a-thon used to be a yearly club event to fundraise, but this is the first time it has been able to be held since start of the pandemic. As a committee we were desperate to restart this club tradition and end our year on a high.
We started at 9am and were on the SU Roof 9am - 9pm, then fenced overnight in Thomas Pitts Hall from 9pm - 9am.
We raised £1,052.91 - the most money raised by the club in 8 years.
University of Plymouth Fencing Club is the only UK University Fencing Club to Fence for 24 hours to fundraise.
"There was so much on the day that just seemed unbelievable, in how everyone in the club was so positive all day despite being so knackered and in how early we beat our target. I’m so proud of everyone who got involved and so grateful for everyone who has donated."
- Chair, Jasmine Keir
“Everyone really pulled together for the whole 24 hours, it was tough at times but the result is something to be really proud of. I can’t wait to try and beat the total again next year"
- Social Secretary, Jasper Stevens
The Club would like to extend a special thank you to their following members.
We want to say a massive thank you to our night crew who were all exhausted but ploughed on!
- Jasper Stevens
- Alexander Cowley
- Marie Boyere
- Lewis Nuthall
- Will Leckie
- Jasmine Keir
As well as to the morning crew who rescued us to end the Fence-a-thon on a high!:
- Ashley Smith
- Stan Reader-Allen