Thank you very much for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
On Friday 27th August 2010, I intend paddling a canoe solo close from my home on the River Wye, about 30 miles down to Chepstow, turn right onto the River Severn / Bristol Channel, paddle 5-6 miles before passing under the new Severn Bridge, left onto the River Avon and then 6 or so miles up into Bristol, and into the floating Bristol Docks.
Tides will play a major part, but I anticipate the 40 odd mile little jaunt should take no more than 2 days.
I will keep the site updated nearer the time with my departure date/time, but if you should happen to see a red 2-seater canoe floating down the Wye - Severn - Avon please give me a cheery wave!
I have chosen the registered charity 'Child Victim of Crime' as one I would very much like to raise money for, and would appreciate it very much indeed if you could consider maybe donating a pound or three to them, in return for me sweating a bit on the river.
Child Victim of Crime have 2 objectives: to relieve poverty, sickness, trauma and the distress arising there, from among children resident in England Scotland Wales Northern Ireland the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man who have suffered the same as a result of any criminal offence committed by any person or through any means whatsoever, - and to promote children's health and welfare, encourage their social inclusion and community involvement and to seek to develop their personal safety. Further details about their great work can be seen on their website www.cvoc.org.uk
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. Thank you very much for your time, and please please help. Thank you.
Lofty.
UPDATE: I did a 10 miler training paddle on the Severn yesterday, bloody hell I have more respect for the river now! I was riding the incoming tide, it was coming in so quickly I had dry sand infront of me, but 3-4 inches of water underneath! Fortunately it wasn't choppy at all, but the waves were alot bigger than I'm used to on the Wye. It was also a bit disconcerting paddling on a river over a mile wide!
Thank you to you all who have donated so far - it really is very kind of you. My friend Tor at T3 Designs (www.t3designs.co.uk) is making up a polo shirt with the Child Victim Of Crime logo for me to wear on the day, so big thanks to you Tor.
I'll keep you posted......Lofty.
UPDATE 050810....Oh my blooming wow! On my dads birthday, I discover that with my ol mucker Guffa Harris' kind and generous help - on top of everybody elses; I have actually managed to reach the £250 I hoped to raise in just 3 weeks.
Thank you all so much. Radio Gloucestershire are going to feature it, so maybe a few more pounds may get raised!
I'll keep you posted.......Lofty.
UPDATE.......I met with the Editor of the Forest & Wye Valley Review this morning down at Lydbrook - he is hoping to get the story and a mug shot into the paper for Wednesday of this week. Hopefully Tor at T3 Designs will be pleased with her company logo - it should be clearly visible!
SARA, (Severn Area Rescue Association) have given me 'their blessing' to do the crossing on the Severn. They advised me of their telephone number, should I require their services, the email said "our telephone number is 999, and ask for Coastguard"!!!
Keep you posted, Lofty, 160810.
UPDATE........After the local paper Editor changed his mind, and chose not to feature it, I still continued with my efforts, and successfully accomplished the mission, paddling into Bristol Citys' floating dock at 0900hrs on Saturday morning! A total canoeing time of just 7.5 hours, which had to be over 2 days due to the tides.
Thank you to Kate and the rest of my family for providing such a warm welcome. A few aching muscles over the week-end, but having looked at this web site thing this morning, it has meant around £500 being raised for Child Victim Of Crime.
Thank you all for your very generous pledges and good luck messages I've received, love to you all.
Lofty, 31st August, 2010.
