One year ago, looking at our exhausted students competing in the Devizes to Westminster Kayaking race, I would never have dreamt of completing it myself, but here I am! 

126 miles and 77 portages are waiting in some of the dirtiest water in the country.

Training was a little slow starting for us, but since November my partner Francesca and I (and the Marlborough team) have paddled about 200 miles in all conditions, warm, rain, cold and so cold that the canal was frozen solid. Once we had to run for 8 miles with the kayak on our shoulders!

I am donating the money to the Mountain Rescue Team. They provide an invaluable service in the mountains and they can operate only thanks to charity. My fundraising target would pay for hardware, rope and harness for a team member or for communication equipment.

Thanks for your help and if you have nothing better to do come and cheer on Easter Weekend between Devizes and London!