In August 2009, my good friends Andy and Figen lost their brave and wonderful son Taylan to a very rare and inoperable brain tumour. Taylan was also classmate and good freind to my son Jay and he is missed dearly by all who knew him. In 2010 Andy and Figen set up Taylan's Project in memory of Taylan and to raise much needed funds and awareness for Brain Tumour Research, in the hope that one day there may be a cure for this terrible disease.

In late September this year, I paddled my Kayak from the Source of the River Thames at Cricklade, through Central London to Greenwich. The total distance is approximately 160 miles and I did this alone, with all of the kit to survive the trip on board.

I purchased my kayak last November with this trip in mind but prior to this had not even sat in a kayak for over 20 years! 2 stone lighter and a lot fitter following a summer of training, I completed the journey in 5 days. The trip started at a sunny but chilly Cricklade on the 19th September and finished in the driving rain at Poplar, Blackwall and District Rowing Club on Sunday 23rd. The journey was an extremely emotional experience with many highs and lows.

Among the most positive of things to come from the trip was the sheer amount of support shown to me by family and friends and also fellow river users along the way.

During the tough times, I just had to remember the reason I was doing it. The memory of Taylan and his immense bravery and also the incredible strength of his family just kept me going.

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