Track me on my journey: my.yb.tl/sussextoscotland

Mayday, Mayday, Mayday! Well I very much hope not have to issue that call but like all people on the coast of the UK or Ireland, I know that the amazing volunteers of the RNLI will do their best to save me.

RNLI doesn't judge who's worth rescuing - they're there for all of us, whether we are adventurers in kayaks, fishing vessels, children blown out to sea in inflatables, or refugees. And everything they do is funded by donations - so I want to do something to help in return.

For a very long time I've wanted to do a Land's End to John O'Groats LEJOG adventure. I set off on a bike many years ago to cycle and bivi along the way but I soon realised I had the flu and abandoned the trip. I rediscovered my love of sea kayaking, and saw that others had undertaken a LEJOG route by sea and canal. I was inspired and after boring everyone I knew about the plan, I'm finally setting off.

I've decided to spice it up a little by kayaking to Land's End from Shoreham On Sea RNLI station in Sussex (almost the closest coast to where I live). I started here recently on a trial trip that finished on the river Medway (my local river).

I reckon on doing between 20 and 40 miles a day (depending on the conditions) over the approximately 1200 mile journey. I'll wild camp along the way in a tent marginally bigger than a dog's kennel and maybe call in on a few lifeboat stations to beg a cup of water. Somedays I'll stay shorebound to sit out bad weather so who knows how long it'll take? Two months perhaps?

I'll be posting photos and updates on my Twitter feed @TheycallhimIan where I have mobile signal and the strength.

I'm really grateful to everyone who donates. Thank you.

Over