Ben and Robin rowed and won together in the University Boat Race for Oxford and then rowed in the British National Team. Rach met Ben in very different circumstances - at the school gate, waiting for the kids to finish class. Ben’s youngest daughter, Allegra, had only recently undergone open heart surgery at just 4 days old. Compelled by this to step up and make a difference, he’d decided to run 100km to support the research that saved her life. Rach, empathised closely with Ben’s experience and respecting his quiet determination, was in. And what was sparked from Ben’s initial idea of a single group run, was evolved with Rach’s passion and flare for connecting people, into a series of 12 hour runs in 12 different cities all across the UK, supporting Samaritans and mental health support.
After his time in the Army, Robin spent 8 years living and working in Ghana, with his last 18 months isolated because of border closures due to Covid restrictions. On returning to the UK for good, Robin’s first social interaction after quarantine was to join one of Ben and Rach’s community runs. And a sweaty 100km later, realising the strength they brought out in each other, they committed to taking the first step with Allegr, better together.
