Over the Easter weekend, Louis and I will be taking part in the Devizes to Westminster Canoe Marathon, covering 125 miles in 3.5 days. We will start early on Good Friday and finish (all being well) on Easter Monday.

We will be paddling a K2 kayak as members of the Churcher’s College DW squad. Training began in September 2018 with nearly every Sunday since spent on the rivers and canals, learning to manage the racing kayaks. Final selection for the squad was made in January 2019. Training and preparation then began in earnest with us competing in several build up races, each of increasing distance, culminating in a 34 mile race from Devizes to Newbury on Sunday 7th April, the equivalent of day one of the DW event. During this time we have all been training and cross-training most days, working on our fitness and strength.

For the DW marathon, we will complete the distance 3½ times over, with 77 portages (where we have to get out unaided, run around an obstacle such as a lock, bridge or tunnel carrying our kayak, and re-enter the water, losing as little time as possible). Overnight we will camp and part of the challenge includes pitching our own tents, cooking a hot meal and managing our kit, with no input from our support crews.

This is an incredible opportunity and physical and mental challenge, at the same time as being a wonderful experience and achievement.

We didn’t set out with the intention of using this as a fundraising exercise, but several family members and friends have asked if we would be supporting a charity through this challenge. Many people do.

After a tragic accident last summer, close family friends sadly lost their beautiful daughter Rosie. Our community has been deeply affected by this loss and we will all feel the shock and sadness for the rest of our lives.

Rosie was an extremely talented actress and performer, and in memory of her, her family have set up a foundation to support talented young performers like her, giving them opportunities that they may otherwise not have.

With this in mind, we have decided to dedicate our efforts and hard work to Rosie’s memory. If you would like to support our endeavours and make a contribution to The Rosie Roebuck Performing Arts Foundation we would really appreciate any donation you are able to make.