Robert Hall

Robert first learnt of the Samson Centre about 4 years ago when he restarted an adaptive rowing section (rowing for people with disabilities) at Guildford Rowing Club, where the first person to express an interest was Claire Dean, an active member of the Samson Centre. Since then, Claire and he have led the adaptive rowing effort in Guildford, which is now recognised as one of the best adaptive rowing programmes in the UK. In fact, Captain Nick Beighton, who represented GB at the recent Paralympics, learnt to row at Guildford! Despite such success, the programme is still relatively small with lots more to do.

Some time later Robert’s youngest daughter Rachel was diagnosed with MS. His knowledge of the Samson Centre gave her an early awareness of O2 therapy, as he had seen the benefits it gave to two of the adaptive rowing squad, Mark Sinclair and Guy Williams. Rachel credits the therapy with the added energy she needs to cope with MS, a demanding job and two young children. It also made Robert aware of the need for volunteer support to run the O2 therapy programme.

As Robert spent 30 years working with oxygen at BOC mainly in operational roles, becoming a volunteer was the obvious next step – which he took late in 2012.