27 September 2010

Cross Channel Kayaking finished in 5 hours!!

 

He's off again.....

On Saturday 25 September 2010 Gary will take part in the start of a London to Marrakesh Expedition.

Starting out at Tower Bridge Gary will kayak 16 miles to Erith and then cycle 65 miles to Dover where they will camp overnight. On Sunday 26th September 2010 they will kayak across the Channel to France.

For this weekend of adventure Gary has joined the Big 5 Kayak Challange Team, lead by Richard Harpham, who's ultimate aim is to kayak and cycle until they reach Marrakesh in early November.

They will be undertaking this self funded but will have the back up of a support boat and crew.

Gary will be hopefully gain more sponsorship along the way.

You can keep up to date with their progress at www.big5kayakchallenge.com

 

Updated on May 22nd 2010 at 5:57 PM using the JustGiving iPhone app

Home to a hero's welcome today at Canvey. The sun was shining and the sea was calm. Thank you everybody for your sponsorship and support. From Gary and Karen Austin xxxx

Thanks for taking the time to visit my Just Giving Page.

As some of you may know my eldest daughter was diagnosed 2 years ago with Epilepsy so I am trying to raise some money for and awareness about, this condition. 

Epilepsy can affect anyone, at any age and from any walk of life.

Epilepsy is a common condition that affects approximately one in 200 people, and causes recurrent seizures. Seizures are caused by excess electrical activity in the brain, which disrupts the normal communication between brain cells.
Approx 456,000 people in the UK has Epilepsy

At the moment there is no cure for Epilepsy.

Commencing on Saturday 15th of May a team of four of us are attempting to Kayak from the Source of the River Thames to the Sea. We are starting at Cricklade which is approx 11 miles from Thames Head, the source. As this is the closest point we could find to get a kayak in the water and paddle! 

We will be paddling a total of 220 miles, negotiating 47 locks and passing under 104 bridges. We will have no support boat and will be carrying all our own equipment, food and kit. We will be sleeping were we fall and hoping for some good weather. We aim to reach Canvey Island on Saturday 22 May sometime before midday. Finishing Post outside Labworth Restaurant Cafe, Western Esplanade, Furtherwick Road, Canvey Island, SS8 7DW. You are all welcome to join us for a picnic.

I am covering all my expenses of this trip myself, so any money you donate goes directly to the charity.

So please dig deep and donate today.

Thank you for your support.

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.

Regards Gary

COUNTDOWN DIARY

Friday 7 May 2010

I would like to thank you everybody who has sponsored me, its very generous of you all. Also I would like to say a big thank you to Highlander (Scotland) Ltd for donating a lot of equipment and Active Signs for donating Just Giving Stickers for our Kayaks. My picture and story is in the Romford Recorder today so hopefully that will generate more donations too.

Sunday 9 May 2010

Out today checking levels of tides at Leigh on Sea, Shoebury and Canvey, to see which would be the best finishing post.

Monday 10 May 2010

Out Yakking today with Richard Harpham from www.big5kayakchallenge.com. Any last minute tips much appreciated! Thanks Richard for your time.

 

Friday 14 May

Set off this morning, driving to Thameshead and walking the 11 miles or so to Cricklade where the kayaks will go in the water tomorrow. Received a letter from Boris Johnson Mayor of London wishing me luck. So wish me luck!

 

Saturday 15 May

Day one. Got in the water at 10.40am after spending the night in the Red Lion Public House Cricklade. Paddled 22 miles today. Bedded down near Shifford Lock.

 

Sunday 16 May

Passed Clifton Lock already. Sleeping under Appleford Railway Bridge tonight to keep out of the rain.

 

Monday 17 May

Got another 30 miles under my belt today. Lovely and sunny day but lost my hat overboard! Camped near  to Sonning Lock.

 

Tuesday 18 May

Received an email from Steve Redgrave sending his regards and congratulations, met him at a book signing in Windsor in November and told him of our plans.

After 20 miles Stopped for lunch at The Ferry Pub Cookham Bridge today.