Well we have finished our training for the big race. It is now time to load with 'carbs' and start the psychology. Our entry is in. We are crew 409 so if you want to follow our progress on the internet then just enter our number on the website www.dwrace.org.uk . The weather does not look perfect but we are sure that we will hardly notice through the sleep deprivation and pain.

So we leave home at 4am on Saturday morning to get to Devizes. Our equipment is checked, our last breakfast is had, we stand in the queue to get in the water and then off we go. We hope to start at 7.30am but this will depend on the numbers of people wanting to start at around the same time. Boats go at minute intervals when there is a queue.

It will be nice to reach Reading in daylight. 54miles completed and only 52 more to reach the tideway at around 4.30am on Sunday. High tide is at 3.41am and we have to reach Teddington between high tide and low tide. Once the tide starts coming in again no crews are aloud over the lock.

Westminster for 7.30am on Sunday. By this time our bodies will be almost incapable of standing. The Army will be there to lift us out of our boat and take us and our boat to the top of the steps in front of City Hall (Westminster). If we don't say it at the time "Many thanks lads" .

It will then be time to find our hotel and crash out for the day.

Once we have completed the event we will take about 3 or 4 days to fully recover if we are lucky.

As you may know our training started back in December and has continued at night on Bristol Docks ever since come rain, wind sleet or snow and the occasional clear starry night. We have only seen sunshine once throughout our training and that was for a photo call for the local press.

Are we insane? Possibly but for a very good cause. Nailsea Community Trust a charity providing funding for local people. All funding goes to people, clubs, organisations in Nailsea or the surrounding Parishes of Wraxall, Tickenham or Backwell. It is used to help people that may find themselves in financial difficulty, people requiring help with educational expenses, sporting or expedition costs. The trust helps local organisations with their funding of events or where someone needs a particular type of help. The charity is run entirely by volunteers on behalf of local people.

So, are we insane? We think it is worth the effort and pain. Hopefully you will as well and perhaps you will donate to this cause and make the pain worth while.

Thank you for visiting our fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor us online.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Nailsea Community Trust Ltd. will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor us now!

A final big thanks to our support crews that will be cycling, running, walking and driving along the route to provide us with food, water, and endless encouragement. We will buy you you a drink or two after.

Many thanks for your support.