Raised: 44%
Target: £5,000.00
Raised so far: £2,176.91
Donate now

My story

 
Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor me, Ben Willis, online.

The river Niger flows through one of the world's most challenging and least known areas. From its source in the highlands of Guinea, through Mali and Niger before finally entering the Atlantic in Nigeria, it embodies the spirit of West Africa: an orgin of identity, a source of income, a migratory route - in short a vital lifeline for many of the 100million who live within its reach.

But it is also under increasing pressure. For centuries the lifeblood of the region, the Niger is now at daily risk from pollution, encroaching desert and habitat destruction all resulting from human activity.

Together with photographer Daniel Norwood, and with support from the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, I aim to follow the river from its source to its mouth. Our journey will in parts follow the routes taken by the first European explorers of the Niger, many of whom were sent to their eventual deaths in an attempt to solve the riddle of where the river began and ended. On the way we hope to document the changing face of the Niger and the daily struggle of communities whose wellbeing is inextricably linked with that of the river itself.

View our blog at http://blogs.bootsnall.com/nigerriverproject

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor us: Mercy Ships 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.

So please sponsor us now!

Many thanks for your support.

Well done Ben! Looking forward to seeing you soon Donation by Andy Ali & James Nuttall 06/02/07  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Well done, not too far now! Donation by Patti 30/01/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

From those who missed the Coffee Morning Donation by Peter & Lis Holmes, Sadie Gould +others 14/01/07  

£70.00 + £19.74 Gift Aid

Sorry we couldn't get to the Coffee Morning. Well done everyone! Donation by Rhona & Robbie Tillard 10/01/07  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

For the Coffee Morning Donation by Liz Webb 08/01/07  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Everyone's hard work has paid off! We are all waiting for next exciting instalments. Good Luck! Donation by St Thomas 08/01/07  

£936.91 + £264.26 Gift Aid

Just in case I don't make the coffee morning on 6 Jan - keep going and good luck. Donation by Sally Vaughan 17/12/06  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Well Done and Good Luck! Donation by Michael & Ursula Parker 14/12/06  

£20.00

Happy Christmas. Paddle well. Look forward to seeing you back in the woods Donation by Bill and Sue 12/12/06  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

We hope it's all gone swimmingly, but without too much swimming! Donation by Rob and Nicki Grinham 30/11/06  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good Luck and Take Care Boys Donation by Jennie Hoare 20/11/06  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Great stuff Ben, just wish I could be out there too. Donation by Claire Acworth 20/11/06  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Donation by Victoria Sepkes 09/11/06  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good Luck from Mo and Zoe Donation by Mo and Zoe 08/11/06  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Remember to boil the water first. Good luck!! Donation by Michael Hanley 08/11/06  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Have a wicked time! Donation by Fiona 08/11/06  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Good luck Dan Donation by Bartholomea Verhagen 07/11/06  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Have a wonderful adventure, and come home safely! Donation by Lyndall 06/11/06  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Donation by Paul Wraight 06/11/06  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Have the most amazing time but take care! Donation by Gay 02/11/06  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Good luck. See you when you get back Donation by Arnold and Jo 01/11/06  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

We once canoed for one day on The Dordogne - The restaurants were good! Good Luck Donation by David & Liz 30/10/06  

£35.00 + £9.87 Gift Aid

Donation by Bibi & Ben 22/10/06  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Well done Ben for making this happen. Wishing you and Dan all the best on the expedition. Donation by Ally 20/10/06  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Best of luck! Donation by Andrea 18/10/06  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

From Toby Donation by Cat 17/10/06  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Watch out 4 the crocs, hippos and the flesh eating bugs...but seriously Im sure you'll have a ball Donation by Dawn 16/10/06  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good Luck and well done for helping! Donation by David Greenwood 12/10/06  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Ray Mears's helpline 0800 999000 Donation by Dan's Dad 12/10/06  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good luck Dan, don't forget that spare body! Donation by Chris M 11/10/06  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
Donate now
 
* Total raised online: £2,176.91
  Offline donations: £0.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £597.08

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Find out how much it is and what we do for it.