I'm Carolyn and with my good friend Phil from Yellowbelly SUP school we are Stand Up Paddleboarding 32 miles from Lincoln to Boston in Lincolnshire along the River Witham in a day for 4 different charities. We aim to raise a minimum of £200 for each charity.

In 2019 we did the 32 mile sup for the 1st time and it was so hard. We did it on the day storm Hannah hit the uk, for 30 miles we battled headwinds and sidewinds , rain and just pure evil conditions that tested us physically and mentally. I suffered a ruptured knee from being blown off my feet onto the board , we completed it in 13.5 hours and wow what a insane challenge.its tough for a fully fit person to do but when someone who is chronically/teriminally ill its even harder.

In 2020 we did the 32 miles in strong winds again , I also ruptured my knees again, we completed it in 11hours and 50 mins .

So for the 3rd year running we are tackling it again , its not a easy challenge and it pushes us too our limits but we love it and we raise so much money for the 4 charities too.

We are also doing this in memory of my (carolyns) dad who died from vascular ehlers danlos syndrome 2 weeks ago on the 10th may 2021, i didnt want to continue with the challenge because im grieving and trying to find a new normal after spending the last 4 years as his full time carer but i want to do this for him now , it wont be easy and i will be a emotional wreck but i have to try.

I suffer from Vascular Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. Vascular EDS is a life threatening connective tissue disorder that affects all tissues, arteries and internal organs making them extremely fragile, it is estimated to affect 1 in 90,000 people and around 740 people have Vascular EDS in the UK

It makes me at risk of sudden arterial or organ rupture which is what happened to my knee on the board. It also means that a sneeze or a bump from the paddle could quite easily kill me.

But we just have to do it all over again to help raise money for these other charities , it will be hard and gruelling but we will give it our very best!!