The best way to experience what life is like at Brighton College is to join us at an Open Morning, where you will have the chance to talk to pupils and teachers about what makes our school such a special place.
It is a face that we shall always remember. The humour and the humility, the generosity and the modesty; Pete Bellenger was a man much adored at the College, but a life cut short by motor neurone disease.
And almost a year on from his passing, we celebrated the beautiful life of our friend and former chemistry teacher with a memorial row: 100km along the Thames with Oxford the final port of call.
Setting off from Leander Club in Henley, the crew rowed the distance over two days, finishing at the New College, Oxford boathouse, where Pete had spent much of his time
as an undergraduate student.
The event hoped to honour Pete’s memory, particularly as the first-year anniversary of his death comes around, and to raise funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) which gave Pete, his family and his friends so much support during his seven-year battle with Motor Neurone Disease.
Commencing last Friday morning in the charming town of Henley-on-Thames – scene of where Pete won the Lightweights Boat Race for Oxford – a collection of his closest friends, including our own Head of Senior School, Mr Marshall-Taylor, rowed the distance to Oxford, where Pete’s sister and parents were waiting to greet them.
Following the row, Mr Marshall Taylor added, "just as Pete would have wanted, it was full of laughter, new friendships and a sense of hope – hope that, when we all contribute our little bit and come together to do what we can, something significant, something remarkable can happen.
As Pete’s mum commented at the end, Pete himself would have loved the challenge as a celebration of so many things and so many people that he loved", he continued.
It was a quite brilliant achievement from those that took part in this wonderful event for an even better cause.
Our ongoing support for the MNDA at the College continues to grow ever onwards, with pupils Charlotte and Ed having organised their own set of pupil House fundraising events.
Those rowing the 100km stretch never could have imagined the enormous generosity of support, both in person, along the banks of the Thames and in Oxford, and through the fundraising website.
The current total raised is over £125,500, a truly remarkable amount!