On Monday 11th June 2012, RSA founder and CEO Anne Mawdsley is going to pedal a pedalo on Lake Windermere from Fell Foot Park (National Trust) to Ferry Nab - a distance of 5 miles. According to Windermere's Tourist Board this has never been done before.
After the Husky Challenge in 2010 and the risks she has taken in the past, her doctors came up with the criteria for her 2012 challenge: it must not be minus 32º, she is not allowed to jump out of a plane and she must not run or walk. The first challenge was choosing a new challenge which ideally involved sitting down. Since visiting Lake Windermere to finalise the event, Anne has been warned of the dangers involved by the Lake Warden but it has not deterred her! She will just need to watch for the swell from the ferry boats going past!
As it is a two seater pedalo Anne needed a companion who would help to raise awareness through publicity with the media. For this she has enlisted the help of actor Don Gilet, as she explained: “I was delighted when Don Gilet agreed to join me. For those of you who watch EastEnders, Don played the character of Lucas Johnson, the vicar turned bad guy! Don has appeared in many television shows including Streetmate, Babyfather, 55 Degrees North, The Line of Duty, Doctor Who, Casualty, Holby City, Silent Witness and The Bill”. More recently he appeared in the BBC drama series One Night.
Don also has a personal connection to both conditions. Earlier this year Anne attended and spoke at the funeral of 43 year old Roger Pemberton. Roger had Raynaud’s and scleroderma and Anne had known him since he was 18 and lived in Alsager.
Roger coped magnificently with his conditions over the years, especially after he moved to St Kitts in the West Indies. He managed to live a very normal life which was facilitated by the warm Caribbean climate - a boost to sufferers of these conditions. While in St Kitts, Roger worked as an IT lecturer, a regional consultant in Computer Studies and a graphics artist. He was also a talented musician.
In 2010 Roger’s condition rapidly deteriorated and he had a leg amputated in a desperate effort to save and extend his life. Regrettably he lost the battle in February 2011 to Raynaud’s and scleroderma and was laid to rest on March 7th. Don Gilet had been his school friend and met Anne at Roger’s funeral. It therefore seems very fitting that Don should support the event in Roger’s memory and we are most grateful to him. Roger's story highlights the ongoing need for research and awareness, something which the RSA aims to increase through the Cool Million campaign. Please support this cause by sponsoring Anne for her challenge.
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