Thank you for visiting our fundraising page. Please take pity on us and pledge your support.  Iain Rennie is an amazing charity and the money will really motivate us in the middle of the night, on the cold canal, more than 24 hours after setting off!!!

The Race

The annual Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race, held over the Easter weekend, is one of the sporting calendar's ultimate endurance events.

Crews paddle double racing kayaks from Devizes in Wiltshire along the Kennet and Avon Canal to Reading. Here they join the Thames for the remainder of the race, finishing under Westminster Bridge beside the Houses of Parliament in central London, a total distance of 125 miles (200km). Non-stop.

The race is a challenge of gruelling physical and mental endurance for the crews, and military logistics for the support team, who must keep them fed and watered for the duration of the race.

Eric and Chris

Unsurprisingly we got the idea to do DW2008 over a couple too many pints and it seemed like a good idea at the time.  Neither of us had paddled before and we started in October 2007.  As we are relative novices we have had to choose a heavy, slow boat to make sure we don't end up swimming most of the way and this will make a hard race even more gruelling!

Finishing is the only objective but we are hoping to be at Westminster in under 40 hours!  Hopefully in time for last orders on Sunday evening!

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Iain Rennie Hospice At Home will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

Many thanks for your support.