Dear All,

Over Easter this year we will be competing in the Devizes to Westminster junior doubles kayaking race.

Archie MacColl and Rohan Bigham will be competing in one kayak (named Baloo), whilst Harry MacColl and Hector Hewett will be competing in another (named Fury).

The race is over 125 miles on the Kennet and Avon Canal/River Thames with 13 miles spent running with the kayak around the 77 locks, finishing under Westminster Bridge early on Easter Monday. The race starts from Devizes on Good Friday and over the following 3 1/2 days we paddle for circa 8 hours a day. On the last day, which starts at 3am to catch the appropriate tide, we paddle a shorter 4 hours from Teddington Lock to Westminster Bridge. The race has been held for over sixty years and we have been training 3 times a week since September 2015. To add to the challenge we have to sleep in tents overnight at Newbury, Marlow and Teddington, pitched by ourselves as well as cooking our own supper and breakfast. One of the main rules in that we receive no outside assistance.

 It has been described as ‘the Kayaker’s Everest’ and a ‘112 race in a kayak combined with a half marathon’.

 We are raising money for CTRT:

The Cancer Treatment and Research Trust plays a key role in raising funds for the world class research undertaken by Consultants at the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre in Middlesex. Professor Seckl, who is treating Archie and Harry's uncle for lung cancer, is one of the key consultants so this charity is close to our hearts for that reason. 

It would be fantastic if you were able to support the challenge; anything you can give would be massively appreciated.

 Many thanks Archie, Harry and Rohan