Wellnergy Festival to Host 36‑Hour SkiErg World Record Bid in Aid of Hattie’s House and The Good Life Orphanage
Olympic rowing bronze medallist Steve Rowbotham will join endurance athlete Kristopher Woollard to lead a 36-hour Concept2 SkiErg world record attempt at Wellnergy Festival 2026.
The festival will take place in London at Wimbledon Park on Friday 12th and Saturday 13th June, raising vital funds for charities Hattie’s House and The Good Life Orphanage in Mombasa, Kenya, in memory of Hattie Dixon, who sadly passed away in 2021 at the age of 15.
Rowbotham won bronze for Team GB in the men’s double sculls at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games while Woollard is currently ranked in the top 100 in the world in 2026 for 30 minutes on the SkiErg on the official Concept2 rankings.
Together they will lead a team of family and friends to keep the SkiErg machine moving for a full 36 hours.
This isn’t the first time the pair have taken on a world record. Less than a year ago, they successfully broke the small team mixed, 40–49 continuous indoor rowing world record with a time of 36 hours and 4 minutes.
Woollard said: “After last year’s rowing world record, we were looking for somewhere more fitting to attempt this new world record. We searched for the best fitness festivals and Wellnergy was the first one that came up.
“I emailed Nick Steirt, owner of Wellnergy, and he was very supportive and we love the idea of doing this at a wellness festival.
“Each participant will do 30 minutes and then we will swap over. I will start at 5am on Friday 12th June and then do seven more sessions, finishing at 5pm on the Saturday.
“We started training five months ago, and SkiErg is very difficult to do, even just for a few minutes, so 30 minutes at a time over such a long period of time will be a very difficult challenge.
“We will have cramping muscles to blisters and countless other things, but we are ready to do this challenge for a great cause.”
The Wellnergy Festival is the perfect home for a world record and brings together fitness, yoga, mindfulness, mental wellbeing, nutrition, live music, food and leading wellness brands across six themed zones.
All six themed zones are designed to help people “find their feel good” through movement, connection and inspiration. From intense workouts and Peloton-led sessions to breathwork, sound healing and talks from top wellness voices, it offers an immersive, family-friendly festival experience.
The challenge is being undertaken in memory of Hattie Dixon, Eddie and Lisa Dixon’s daughter, who very suddenly passed away in June 2021 at the age of 15 due to an unknown heart condition.
What began as a plan to raise £1,000 has, over five years, become a focused fundraising effort that has generated more than £60,000 through events across the South East and North West of England.
The Good Life Orphanage are a family-run charity, founded in the UK and based in Mombasa, Kenya, caring for over 100 children since 2008, providing education at St Bernadette Mary School and physical therapy at Hattie's House.
They are supported by former Manchester United defender and England international Phil Neville, and his wife Julie.
Hattie’s House, which was officially opened when the Dixon family travelled to Kenya in 2023, now provides targeted support to more than 300 families in the Mombasa area.
They offer specific and specialised help, including education, physiotherapy, inclusive learning support, life-skills training, and practical guidance for parents and caregivers to promote dignity, independence and better outcomes for children with additional needs.
Eddie Dixon, Hattie’s father, said: “It seemed right that we reconnected with the founders of the charity when Hattie passed away in June 2021 to see if we could help.
“We chose not to have flowers at her funeral and asked for any funds and donations to go to The Good Life Orphanage.
“Hattie’s House is part of The Good Life Orphanage and offers help to children and families in the Mombasa area of Kenya. It seemed right that we reconnected with them after Hattie left us.
“This is a fantastic challenge, and we greatly appreciate the support and efforts from Kris and the team, and we hope this will continue to raise more funds and increase the awareness of our charity.”
Nick Steiert, of Wellnergy, added: “When Kris reached out about attempting to break the SkiErg world record at Wellnergy Festival to raise funds for Hattie’s House and The Good Life Orphanage, we instantly agreed to support.
“We are extremely proud to play our part. Wellnergy is all about bringing people together and we knew we wanted to help shine a spotlight on their incredible effort for such an important cause.
“We wish them well in their challenge and encourage everyone attending this year’s festival to go and visit them and show your support for what will be a very tough test, but one that will help many people.”
Festivalgoers at Wellnergy 2026 will be able to watch Steve Rowbotham, Kris Woollard and the rest of the team in action throughout the 36 hours and learn how Hattie’s House and The Good Life Orphanage are changing lives in Mombasa.
To donate, please CLICK HERE and give whatever you can.
To reserve your place at Wellnergy 2026 on Friday 12th and Saturday 13th June, please CLICK HERE to book tickets and be part of an inspiring Olympic‑fronted world record attempt in support of this important cause.
