Success! After 35 islands and 60 miles of paddling I landed at Burnham as planned on the afternoon of Wednesday 18th May and handed over the funds raised so far to RNLI. Thanks to all who supported the cause!

However, it's still not too late to add contributions to.....

THE ESSEX ISLANDS CHALLENGE

Essex has more islands off its coast than any other English county - an amazing total of 35! Some are large and populated, like Canvey, Wallasea and Mersea, some are inhabited but private such as Horsey and Osea, others may be little more than marshy hummocks rising above the tideline, but all are shown as definite islands on the charts, the nearest being but 30 miles from the heart of London, and the furthest just under 100 miles, though many are in wild, remote locations that feel a long way from anywhere, and have evocative names like Fobbing Horse, Packing Shed Island, Sunken Island and Honey Island.

Between March and May 2011 I plan to reach every Essex Island by kayak. It will take at least 7 days of challenging paddling, and I will cover around 60 nautical miles.

I can find no record of this challenge ever being undertaken before so hopefully I will achieve a "first"!

One of my ports of departure will be Burnham on Crouch where the new Atlantic 85 lifeboat due this Spring urgently requires a floating boathouse which is costing £130,000. Over £100,000 has already been raised,and I am asking my friends and contacts to sponsor me on my Essex Islands Challenge so that my effort will raise much need funds to contribute towards the balance, and to support the local lifeboat service which is vital to those of us who sail and canoe the Essex coast. Please be generous with your support! 

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.

Thank you! Hugh.