Thanks for visiting our fundraising page.
We will be canoeing Liverpool to Leeds along the canal 27 Feb- 02 March 09 in aid of Help 4 Heroes.
Both growing up in Leeds we have fond memories of playing down by the canal. Now "grown ups" we decided over a beer one day to cycle Liverpool to Leeds in 2008. 17 hours in pooring down rain, punctures and and a few fall offs we then decided to canoe the same journey in a Canadian canoe in 2009 for charity.
We are both members of the reserve forces and have served abroad in the past. We have massive support for all our troops currently serving in conflicts abroad and hope you choose to donate to our chosen charity Help 4 Heroes, and help us exceed our fundraising target.
The Leeds and Liverpool canal is the longest canal in northern England at 127 miles, crossing the Pennines climbing to 487 feet. There are 91 locks the boat will have to be carried round and relaunched and 2 tunnels (Foulridge which is 1600yrds long and Gannow) where the boat will have to carried round as canoes are not allowed in either. We have 4 days to complete this trip, covering an average of 30 miles per day. This trip will be by no means easy and pretty cold. It will be unsupported apart from a lift to Liverpool and lift home at the end. Accomodation is where we can, towpath, Inn. Food by camp stove and cafe. Aches, pains and smiles will be by the dozen. 
Mentions
Thankyou very much to all who have donated so far, we have totally smashed our traget but hope to keep raising funds for the charity.
Alan, cheers mate. You have obliterated the "all yorkshiremen are tight" thing,
Also thankyou to all the students at Millside Cottage Art Services for their generous donation.
We would like to thank the team at the Leeds Sailing Centre for the loan of the equipment.
Big thankyou to Peak Performance fitness for their generous dontaion of energy drinks. Goldie, I apologise now if I start to jibber jabber about nowt much at high speed for long periods,lol.
Thankyou to the Wakefield Outlaws SC and the YSA for their much appreciated support and sponsorship.
Thankyou to Ed at Stanley ferry marina for the loan of the handcuff key and BW key.
Ta dave (YSA) for the tea n toast and break from the cold.
Posh Dave thankyou for sorting the website out, I would still be doing now if I had had a go.
Progress
Preperation is going well. Kit list is sorted and most things are now sourced. We have our lift to Liverpool arranged (ta Jim). Training in the water is happening when possible and we are looking forward to it. Starting to pack kit now, then I will just need to take half out and leave behind,lol.
Stoppages on the canal are mounting up so the carries are getting longer but at least the ice is melting, can't have everything.
Actions on
Fall in the water - Get out out of the water
Sinking - Tightly pinch nose either side
Damage to boat - Recover to a holding area (towpath), sentence as 'VOR awaiting spares' and sit there for week drinking brews
Job done
Well we did it. Canoed the gaunlet of the Leeds and Liverpool canal. Arrived back in Leeds 10:00hrs 02nd March after putting in the water 13:00hrs 26th Feb. Once I get some sleep and sort the photos and a write up my mate Dave is going to put it all together. Feel mega
Please ckeck out www.127milesbycanoe.co.uk lots of photos etc
Thanks again everyone and please feel free to pass on the link to anyone else who may wish to donate.
The support has been superb, the amount raised more than we ever imagined. This kind of support obviousley shows how appreciated our men and women in the armed forces really are in these difficult times. Hats off to em.
Cheers, Ray and Goldie. 
Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor us: Help for Heroes gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.
So please sponsor us now! and show your support for all our servicemen and servicewomen wounded in the line of duty in the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
