Richard Ellera is fundraising for National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children

The Thames Kayak Challenge

Kayaking the River Thames

on 22/03/2008

Photos (1)

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Team members:

Richard, Simon, Tom and Steve

Raising money for

National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children

Charity Registration No. 216401 and SC037717

The NSPCC's purpose is to end cruelty to children and our vision is of a Society where all children are loved, valued and able to fulfil their potential. In September 2008, the NSPCC launched its Child’s Voice Appeal to answer more children’s cries for help. Every day, thousands of children and young people need to talk to ChildLine about a problem they face, while hundreds of caring adults call the NSPCC Helpline, worried about a child’s safety.

Page owner

Richard Ellera

RSS

Raised: 192%

Target: £1,500.00
Raised so far: £2,882.45

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My story

Hello and welcome to our fundraising page.

At 19.20 on Saturday the 22nd March myself and three friends (Tom Brunwin, Steve Hermes and Simon Biddle) reached Teddington Lock after 37hours and 20minutes of continuous kayaking. This marked the end of a journey that began some 135miles and 44 locks upstream on the River Thames at Cricklade.

The aim of the challenge was to paddle the entire length of the non-tidal Thames. Certain conditions were attached- firstly this was to be completed non-stop (no sleep allowed until the finish), completely self sufficientely (all supplies, kit, food and water to be carried on board) and more bizarrely no kayak training was permitted before we started.

To make things more interesting we managed to pick a weekend that provided rain, sleet, hail ,snow, high winds and sub zero temperatures continuously for the whole 37hours. Nevertheless the team pushed through and with the knowledge of the great level of support behind us there was no chance of us stopping until we had completed the challenge.

Firstly thanks to everyone who has supported us so far and for all those still interested in donating then please support our efforts through donating to the NSPCC. This charity has been chosen through appreciation of the work that they perform but also in memory of Oliver Griffin, a friend of ours who recently tragically passed away.

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

Rich

	Best of luck Big-bro & guys! I'll be wishing u bronzing time! Remember! Stop at Teddington! xXx :) Donation by Lucy "The Sistership" Biddle 19/03/08	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Good luck boys, i'll buy you a drink on Saturday night! Donation by Laura Bolton 19/03/08	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Good luck! Donation by Sarah 19/03/08	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	best of luck! Donation by julia richards 19/03/08	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Good luck lads, red boards are up so should be fast. If you need a sub - see Ricky, I'm busy!! Donation by Clive 18/03/08	£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid
	Good Luck! Donation by bugs 18/03/08	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Hope to catch you at Teddington! Donation by Caroline 18/03/08	£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid
	Good Luck!! Donation by Lucy Gallagher 18/03/08	£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid
	Good luck Donation by Paul Korolkiewicz 18/03/08	£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid
	Good luck! Donation by David Arnott 18/03/08	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Good Luck.... Donation by Jane Alagappa 18/03/08	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	I will take your mother out to a nice seafood dinner and NEVER call her again! Donation by david hough 18/03/08	£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid
	Carefull when kayaking with Rich! During the three peaks he fell asleep when driving-not good at weirs! Also, hes weaker than Tom, Biddle & Big Chest Donation by Barry 18/03/08	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	I know where you've hidden the motor. Good luck lads x Donation by Dave Wild 18/03/08	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	RICH IS GAY Donation by Basil 17/03/08	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Good luck you filthy pig Donation by Dave Karame 17/03/08	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Go on boyo! Donation by Kevin Monahan 17/03/08	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	honourable but foolish? Best of luck anyway x Donation by Ashling 17/03/08	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Will you be able to row with those little arms of yours? Best of luck mate Donation by Ed H & Beth 17/03/08	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Good luck mate, hope your "t-rex arms" can take the strain... Donation by Mike Wood 17/03/08	£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid
	Good luck Donation by Kandy 17/03/08	£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid
	Good Luck Guys, what a way to spend easter wk end!!! Donation by Mary 17/03/08	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Good Luck Mate! Donation by Richard Latner 17/03/08	£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid
	Good luck ! ( sorry bit poor at the mo !) Donation by Marie 17/03/08	£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid
	a very good cause, have a drink on me Donation by auntie yollie 17/03/08	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Just think of all those pubs you are going to go ....past! No perhaps you had better not. Mark, Marcus, Dion and Richard Donation by Burway RC 1997 Novice 4 17/03/08	£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid
	Good Luck, just remember it is all downhill Donation by John Biddle 16/03/08	£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid
	I know you can survive on no sleep for 30 hours as I think you did that on Saturday night... Donation by Elizabeth McGinity 16/03/08	£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid
	Good Luck, have a good one! Donation by Linda and Phil Ansley-Watson 16/03/08	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Hope you don't get paddle sore Donation by Mark and Buffy 15/03/08	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Donate now

* Total raised online:	£2,582.45
Offline donations:	£300.00
Gift Aid plus supplement:	£683.93

* Charities pay a small fee for our service.
Find out how much it is and what we do for it.